Kim shares her prayerful reflection of this text by way of a poem written in 2020.
Buy your own oil
the oil that can’t be bought-
with money, on credit, or bartered.
This oil is freely given
found in a vat, a well deep within.
You cannot access another’s
though by their presence
they can teach you where to find this oil within.
Let down the wick-
allowing it to bathe in the oil of the Spirit.
The oil will do its job-
sustaining just the amount of light you need to see by.
Bask in the glow of this Spirit soaked light.
“Awake, my darling,
my beautiful one-
See your beloved is coming,
already here,
knocking at your door.
Let him in.”
Day by day,
listen for him.
Always he is coming for you.
Sit down at the table he has prepared for you,
to feast, to enjoy one another’s company.
More to come. Full. Complete. Eternal.
Matthew 25:1-13 (NLT)
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart and repeat it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect has it had on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with God, simply resting in God.
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