“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’” Matthew 25:7-9
It was late in the evening, and the neighbourhood was buzzing with excitement. Adwoa, a bridesmaid for her best friend Jenna, was rushing to get ready for the wedding. The celebration had been planned for months, and it was going to be a big event.
Adwoa glanced at the clock. She had plenty of time, or so she thought. She turned on the TV, scrolling through her favorite shows, and told herself she’d pack her things in a bit. But as time ticked by, she got distracted.
By the time Adwoa finally started getting ready, it was already dark. She grabbed her dress, threw her makeup into a bag, and ran out the door. She realized halfway to the venue that she had forgotten her phone charger.
“Eh, it’ll be fine,” she muttered to herself, shrugging it off.
But when she arrived, she was met with a frustrating sight: the power at the venue had gone out due to a storm, and the only light they had came from candles and lanterns.
Adwoa panicked as she realized her phone was already at 10% battery, and she had no way to contact anyone if it died. Worse, her small flashlight from the car wasn’t working, it had been sitting in her glove compartment for years, and she hadn’t thought to check the batteries.
She looked around at the other bridesmaids, who seemed calm and prepared. They had packed fully charged power banks, extra candles, and lanterns, just in case.
“Can I borrow one of your power banks?” Adwoa asked one of them.
“I’m sorry, Adwoa,” her friend replied, shaking her head. “I don’t have enough for both of us. You should’ve brought your own.”
Feeling embarrassed and frustrated, Adwoa realized her lack of preparation had left her in a tough spot.
Adwoa’s experience mirrors the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. In the story, ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. Five of them were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and didn’t prepare enough.
When the bridegroom finally arrived, the foolish ones realized they didn’t have enough oil and begged the wise ones to share. But the wise virgins couldn’t risk running out of oil themselves, so the foolish virgins had to go buy more. By the time they returned, it was too late, they missed the bridegroom and were shut out of the wedding banquet.
This parable isn’t just about being prepared for a wedding; it’s about being ready for life’s most important moments—especially the return of Jesus. Here are some key lessons from the passage:
- Preparation is Personal
Just like Adwoa couldn’t rely on her friends’ power banks, the foolish virgins couldn’t depend on the wise ones’ oil. Our spiritual preparation is personal; no one else can do it for us. - Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
The foolish virgins thought they had plenty of time to prepare, just like Adwoa did. But when the moment came, they weren’t ready. This reminds us not to procrastinate in our faith or in handling important matters. - Faith Requires Action
The wise virgins didn’t just believe the bridegroom was coming, they acted on that belief by bringing extra oil. Faith isn’t just about what we believe; it’s about how we live and prepare for what’s to come. - Be Ready for the Unexpected
Life is unpredictable, and we don’t always know when challenges or opportunities will come. Staying prepared helps us navigate those moments with confidence.
How This Applies to Everyday Life
- In Your Faith
Are you spiritually prepared for the unexpected? This could mean spending time in prayer, studying Scripture, and staying connected to God, so when challenges arise, your faith is strong enough to handle them. - In Your Relationships
Are you investing in your relationships now, or are you waiting until you “have more time”? Don’t let busyness or procrastination cause you to miss out on meaningful connections. - In Your Goals
Are you preparing for the future you want, or are you hoping things will just fall into place? Whether it’s saving money, learning a new skill, or pursuing a dream, preparation is key.
The night of the wedding, Adwoa struggled without her phone, her flashlight, or anything she needed to stay comfortable. She felt frustrated with herself for not taking the time to prepare.
But the next morning, as she reflected on the experience, she realized it had taught her an important lesson. She couldn’t keep putting things off and expecting everything to work out.
From that day on, Adwoa made a habit of planning ahead. She kept her phone charged, stocked her car with emergency supplies, and even started preparing spiritually by reading her Bible regularly and praying more intentionally.
She didn’t want to be caught unprepared again, whether in life or in her faith.
May you always be prepared for the moments that matter most. May your faith be strong, your heart be ready, and your actions reflect the hope you carry. And may you never miss an opportunity to step into the fullness of what God has for you.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13
Heavenly Father, help me to stay prepared for the moments You’ve planned for me. Teach me to live with wisdom and intention, so I’m ready for both the challenges and blessings of life. Strengthen my faith, guide my steps, and help me to trust in Your perfect timing. In Jesus Name, Amen.
May you live each day with intention and readiness, trusting that God’s plan for you is worth the preparation!
