Listen

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil.”

Matthew 25:1-4

Think

Have you ever fixated too much on one thing? I wonder if that’s what the “foolish” bridesmaids were doing in this story. They knew they needed light. They had to remember to bring the lamps! So they brought the lamps… and didn’t stop to consider the broader picture.

In your preparations to meet with Christ, do you ever focus on one thing, to the exclusion of everything else? Maybe you find yourself focused on only one thing God calls us to or only one part of God’s character. Maybe you are used to one primary way of relating to God – for example, through singing worship songs with your youth group, completing service projects, writing prayers in a journal, or reading Scripture.

Today, take a moment to ask if your vision needs to be broader. In focusing on one essential thing, have you neglected another?

Megan McDermott

Pray

God of light, you help me spread your light to those I meet. Bring my attention to those things I need in order to keep shining your light for others. Amen.

Go

Are you ready to love? Serve? Give? To seek joy in tough moments?

Go, and find out.