Our Trimmed Lamps

 The scripture in Matthew 25:1-13 speaks of the 10 virgins. The 5 wise and the 5 foolish. A virgin is described as: 1. Someone who has never had sexual intercourse. 2. Not yet touched, used, or exploited. I wanted to define the word virgin to you, dear readers, to shed light on something; All of the individuals described in the passage of Matthew 25 were virgins, the wise and the foolish. All of them were untouched and set apart. The difference between the wise and the foolish was the awareness and the diligence to seek God. In seeking him, they prepared for his coming because they knew that in their pursuit of his presence, it would bring a great reward: unfathomable intimacy with their bridegroom, which would carry over into eternity. It was so necessary for them to prepare that they had a desperation and anticipation for the presence of their bridegroom; they didn’t even have time to recognize that the five foolish weren’t ready or even getting prepared. They were too focused because they knew exactly who they were waiting for. The oil that they had in their lamps was not only so full that the lamp continued to burn, but their hearts were burning too. The oil in the lamp doesn’t just signify the intimacy between Christ as the bridegroom, but it also signifies the work of the Holy Spirit in us! Hebrews 12:27-29 says (27) “The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (28) “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (29) for our “God is a consuming fire.” Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, being a virgin, not yet touched, used, or exploited. It was a spiritual representation of the sanctification process between us and God. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her (Luke 1:35), “The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Supernatural pregnancy comes when the supernatural presence of God has entered. This is our fire. When Mary went and told Joseph, her soon-to-be husband, that she was pregnant, he was in disbelief and wondered how this could be, but our gracious Heavenly Father had supernatural intervention and sent a messenger in his dreams to assure him that all is well, and it was indeed the doing of the Lord. When the Lord has to intervene here in that particular part of the story, that was the Lord/Holy Spirit trimming Mary’s lamp. Ensuring that the very fire (baby Jesus) that she was carrying was tended to and cared for in the proper way. The lamps that are lit inside of us must be trimmed but never hidden. They are set ablaze when the time is right. The oil lamps also signify light! This is what Jesus says we are to be in this dark and dreary world. Matthew 5:14-16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mary was a willing vessel to let Jesus (the light) be shown at the set time. As she carried him in her womb, through her pregnancy journey, as any mother does, she built a bond between her and her baby. It created a deep connection and unmatched intimacy between her and Jesus. May our lamps continually burn and be trimmed by the power and love of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name!