The Foolish Virgin

Matthew 25:1-5 – At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. (NIV)

I was reminded of this parable recently when I went to visit my grandson for the purpose of taking him to play in a playoff baseball game. His mother and father were both out of town and were depending on me to represent them well at this important time in all of our lives. I took my digital camera with expectations of recording the occasion well. Much to my dismay, when I clicked it for the third time, there was no action — no light, no sound, and no picture. Too late, I recalled that the batteries had been showing signs of running down, and I had fully intended to replace them.

His team won the game, won the championship. He won two trophies, and though I went through the motions, no picture was recorded through my camera lens. Both parents were depending on this picture-taking grandmother to record this history for the family. I had let them down. Like the foolish virgins outside the wedding feast, I was embarrassed and disappointed.

How many times we Christians let God down the same way. He is depending on us to represent Him on earth by saying the right thing and doing the right thing at the right time, and we are over at the airport when the ship docks down at the pier, or our batteries go dead just when He expects us to let our light shine for Him.

Prayer: Lord, it is so embarrassing when we, like the foolish virgins, come up short when You are depending on us. Help us to keep our wicks trimmed and our fuel supplies adequate for when the need arises. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

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