Ceuti67's Blog

A couple years ago, with my family all loaded in the mini-van – we started our journey home from the cottage. When we got onto the main highway we were greeted with a GPS message that stated our normal 2 hour drive home would in fact take us about 7. The evidence in front of us was ominous – cars were not moving and all we heard was something up ahead and happened and police were investigating. We of course were worried for what was ahead – wondering if people were hurt or worse…but something else creeped into our thinking – do we have enough gas to wait out such a long wait. Since we were not moving and since we were not sure if in fact we would have enough fuel….after pulling over to shoulder one of my sons and I stepped out of the van and walked to the nearest gas station. It was a good decision – as the wait did end up being extremely long and at least we could sit not worrying about the implications of having allowed ourselves to run on empty! We had made the decision that “I’ll fill up later.” was not an acceptable option.

Thinking of that experience today, it makes me think of one of Jesus’ parables, where we read: “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom… The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps.” — Matthew 25:1–3 (NLT)

For the first time, that parable has felt personal to me. Those foolish bridesmaids weren’t unbelievers. They weren’t mocking or careless. They knew the bridegroom. They were waiting for Him. They had lamps. They had oil to start with.

Their mistake wasn’t unbelief—it was under-preparation. They assumed what they had would be enough. They thought they could refill later. They didn’t expect the delay.

And sitting there in my minivan with my family, I keenly realized: If I don’t fill up now – it will be too late…I WILL run out and I would have done the exact same thing that spiritually I have so often done.

Many Christians know Jesus and understand salvation, but our spiritual lives gradually run dry because we don’t stay close to Him day after day. We allow ourselves to skip time in the Word. Time in prayer is postponed. A season of drifting from church takes hold. We replace time with brothers and sisters – with time and fellowship with those that  don’t believe in the Lord; allowing ourselves to instead participate in negative activities that pull us even further from God. We foolishly try to rely on yesterday’s spiritual moments to fuel today’s battles. And when difficulty or darkness hits, the spiritual tank is empty—and the enemy pounces on the opportunity of our vulnerability.

It’s not that they don’t love Jesus. It’s that they didn’t stay filled.

As we walked to fill up our cannisters with gasoline – it was with great anticipation as I knew if we were successful in obtaining it – that we would be safe. In thinking of that experience now, the Lord has gently impressed something on my heart: “This is what happens when you try to run on yesterday’s fuel.  Of course don’t do this with your car, but more importantly, don’t let it happen in your spiritual life. Spend time with me in my word and in prayer. Stay filled!”

As we poured enough gas into my tank to keep us going while we waited, I couldn’t help but smile at the grace of God. He does the same for our hearts—meeting us in our emptiness, restoring us, and calling us back to a daily walk with Him.

The wise bridesmaids were ready because they valued and understood the need to prepare. They stayed supplied. They lived expecting the bridegroom.

We can do the same. Don’t let your spiritual life run on fumes. Don’t wait for a crisis to discover you needed more oil. Take time today to fill your heart with Jesus—in His Word, in prayer, and in His church.

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.” — Luke 12:35 (NLT)