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Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’ So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’

“ ‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. You’ll have to go and buy some for yourselves!’

“While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked. Matthew 25:6-10 Passion Translation

When I read this story of the 10 virgins who camped out waiting for the bridegroom, I see 5 who had planned for the occasion, taking extra oil for their lamps. I also see 5 who didn’t really take it seriously and never truly planned for the occasion. They were good with what they had, never seeing the need for more. The word that comes to mind is complacent.

The dictionary defines this word; Word: Complacent-“pleased, especially with oneself or one’s merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied.”

Another story comes to mind found in Luke 24:49, 500 were given the promise of power but only 120 (Acts 2) were committed to partner with the power which was promised and wait “until” they received power from on high. The couldn’t see the value and didn’t want to wait for it.

Which group do you fit in with? Satisfied with what you have and where you are, or desperate enough to stay and pray until you get what you’re expecting? Easy or hard? Complacent or desperate? I’m taking inventory of my life, my attitude and my hunger level. This is not a game to me, it’s my life and the outcome depends on my ability to trust in the one who is in me.

So if I appear to be overly focused on the task at hand, please understand that I’m in it to win. The oil I have remains full because of the time I spend in the Word and prayer. I don’t fast 6 days and fill up on Sunday, I fill up each day and party and feast on Sunday. I know this is a challenging word. You don’t have to ‘like’ it, but I hope that when you read it, your self satisfaction turns into desperation for Holy Fire that never burns out.

Burning,

Sandy G