The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a picture of
the church waiting for Christ's return. The Bridegroom tarries creating . When he finally arrives, he finds half the
virgins unprepared to meet him.
The difference between
the wise and the foolish virgins in the parable is not that one group
did not have oil, but that one group did not have enough for the
unexpectedly long delay. In the event that you must wait on God longer than expected, do you have enough to wait maintaining the right attitude?
Establish a place of prayer. Places matter to
God. Jesus said, "when you pray, enter into your secret closet and shut
the door. Pray there to your Father in secret, and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you openly".
Jesus had special
places for prayer (i.e. Mountains, Gethsemane). You may not have a
spare room. Pick a chair, a pillow, even a blanket. Set it apart. Make
it holy. So go ahead, sanctify and separate some place or something for
prayer that you might continue stronger in the faith.
You are complete in Him (Christ). God is patient with us because He see
us perfected. He puts up with us because He sees the end product as
finished. In God's eyes the process of making you like Christ has
already been realized. There are times when being trouble by you is not
your fault, as much as it is mine, because I'm "shortsighted" concerning
your process. The moment I see you "complete in Him" irritation subsides.
We must keep in mind, the foreseen perfection of God when dealing with
one another. Remember, it does not yet appear what we shall be. Paul
said, "I present every man perfect in Christ". I'm reminded of an old
James Cleveland song we use to sing: Please, be patient with me God is
not through with me yet. Yes, I'm still at the cross but God sees me in
the Kingdom. Thank God this foreseen perfection is for you and me.
