Episode 42: It’s Time to Wake Up
What happens when we function in a half-dazed, overworked, numb-like monotony? Many believers are complaining that they’re distracted - obsessed with possessions, overindulging in their vices, constantly planning the next getaway in futile efforts to escape. They are filled with anxiety and sleeping away precious time while watching Netflix and scrolling for hours on social media sounds better than any other type of interaction.
What’s happening? What’s going on?
Ephesians 5:14 says “Awake sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!”
When lethargy takes hold, we must wake up and stand against it. Lethargy can take a variety of different forms, including a lack of energy or enthusiasm, sleepiness and deep unresponsiveness, inactivity, or overactivity that distracts from the right kind of activity.
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells a story about the importance of being alert and awake. When 10 virgins are called to be a part of a wedding celebration, they all come with their lamps. But after the ceremony, there is a time gap before the parade that follows with the groom. All ten virgins fall asleep, and upon being awakened with the news of the groom’s return, only 5 virgins have brought the extra oil for their lamps. The other 5 ask to use some of the wise women’s oil, but they are instructed to go buy their own from a dealer nearby because there is not enough for everyone. The groom comes while they are away, and when they return to knock on the closed door, the groom says, “I don’t know you!”
This is a difficult parable to understand at first glance. Why not share your oil and why is the groom so exclusive? As we look at this story, three things are important to understand.
1. It’s what’s inside the lamp that matters the most.
Initially, all 10 women look the same. The difference is 5 of the women wisely brought extra oil, and truly cared about the oil that was in their lamp. In Jesus’ day, this oil would have been a pure and costly type of olive oil. If you put cloudy oil in this type of lamp, it would clog the filters so that it wouldn’t shine brightly and function the way it was designed to.
Being prepared and using the best oil set these women apart. Our oil is the relationship we have with our groom - Jesus. If we’re sloppy or unprepared, it will show in the way our light shines.
2. Sleepers miss what’s happening around them.
If we live groggy or partially alert, we miss opportunities to impact the Kingdom. When our minds are distracted or focused on lesser things, the real purpose of our lives - to live in fellowship with our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - can get covered in a sleepy daze.
3. Your personal oil is the most valuable possession of your life.
It’s interesting these 5 women refused to share their oil with others. At first glance, it seems like an “un-Christian” thing to do. But Jesus is trying to convey a deeper concept. Some things are meant exclusively for you and Him. Don’t give away what you’re meant to keep. Your oil is for you and your Savior, not to be given to those who don’t value it the way you do. We are not responsible for people’s oil, we are only called to prepare, stay alert, and shine bright as we wait for our groom to return.
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