The Oil Lamp

Before the glitter of Christmas was put away, I sat quietly on the couch. Nearby, the dogs slept, and the cats’ long furry bodies curved into C’s around each other exclaiming their superiority at warming one another.

My gaze fell upon the blue bottles hanging outside on the porch. Their purpose, windchimes. They swayed splendidly among the snowflakes that sparkled against the dreary wet day, the shining light of white from the electrical current making them glow.

It was a perfect shot. Blue upon white. Not marred by daylight but enhanced by mist. Lore wound itself in my brain while A Christmas Carol and Scrooge skittered in the background.

My eyes fell to the pink of a favorite Christmas gift, a fluffy blanket. And then to a sign in my kitchen, GATHER, it proclaimed in large red letters.

And we’d done such. With fervor, gathering together of family and friends.

Each item, in its own splendor of color, added to the festivities. But love was the keenest thing felt, despite past ire or wayward thoughts of the other for decisions or lack thereof made throughout the year.

In my mind’s eye, I see the purpose for each item, its color upon the scene, and I wonder.

In the color of each of us, the cast of our souls or the upturn or downturn of our mouth. In the light from our eyes or the clenching or unclenching of a fist …. are we in God’s will and purpose?

As each of the items has been fashioned around me for such, what is ours? Are we letting the vessel we are, in God’s hand, proclaim His will, His mercy, His glory?

Shine on, colorful you. Perhaps not for another’s eyes, but only for the One who created you.

Shine on for the One who created you… Click To Tweet

For the Earth and those in it are fickle, yet God was and is and is to come.

For you, through you.

In your drowsiness, trim your lamp and keep the oil and extra if He tarries.

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 their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, 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.

At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

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.’

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Matthew 25:1-12

Purpose, my friends.

Let your light shine and endeavor to keep it lit from within.

Reflecting Together

Intentional gathering, storing, proclaiming, praying …

How are you keeping (intentional) oil in the vessel and, as well, storing some in jars? Can you share with us so we may learn and apply these ways to our own lives?

Read Laura J. Marshall's latest devotional on Candidly Christian… Click To Tweet