30 Days of Waiting: Day 21

Who's Waiting With You?

Part II

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." But the wise answered, saying, "No so'lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us." But he answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." [Matthew 25: 1-12]

This text is about being prepared for the hour Jesus returns; however, I want to focus particularly on the (wise) women who were waiting and who they were waiting with. If it's not clear, they were waiting with five foolish virgins. Why were they foolish? Because these five women did not think to bring extra oil for their lamps knowing they may possible have to wait for an extended period until the bridegroom comes. And why were the other five virgins wise? Because they were prepared: they brought enough oil to keep their lamps burning.

Waiting is a part of life. I think we have already established that fact. We have also established that there are many facets of, and purposes, for waiting. Waiting can essentially be a shifting process like it was for this groom who avoided marrying five foolish young women.

There are so many nuggets to walk away with from this text, but I want to hone in on the company we keep. Undoubtedly having other women to wait with made the waiting period more bearable, which is an experience both I and many of you can relate to. The other day I was in the subway for 40 minutes with a friend of mine. I had made the journey to our destination alone and we came back together. The return journey felt so much shorter and was so much more enjoyable than the ride I took alone. Why? Because of (good) company. Still, having company can be frustrating when your friends just want to take from you, pull you down or distract you from your purpose.

The five foolish virgins (#FoolishFive) were so willing to take from the little that the #WiseFive had in order to cover themselves. Be aware of takers on this journey: those who survey what you have and look for avenues to take or copy. Those people aren't going where you are going. They aren't prepared. They aren't equipped.

It's so important as Christians to analyze who is waiting with us in this season. Are we around takers? Are we around foolish women who encourage us to be like them? Or are we spending our time in the company of wise women: women who are equipped and ready to go where we are going or want to go?

The wise women in this story were wise enough to say, "No." They weren't blinded by their relationship with the #FoolishFive. They weren't trying to be nice at the expense of themselves (note they weren't trying to be mean either). Do you have the ability to stand up to the foolish in your life? Do you have the ability to protect your oil (you anointing, your purpose, etc.) from those who want not too much, but just enough to cause you to experience lack? These are questions you need to think about. It's time to start praying about our circle. Some of your friends may have already taken some of your oil, which is the reason why you can't walk into you new season. You aren't ready!!! You now are unprepared!!! You now are lacking!!! Spend some time to evaluate your circle, your square or even your dot. It's time to truly consider, "Who's waiting with me?"