Revealed Week Four: All Things New

It’s easy for us to imagine that the Garden of Eden was all rest and play with no work. Subsequently, our idea of heaven can easily be all cloud-snuggled naps and angel wings. Although there is a promised peace that is coming with Christ’s return and the new heavens and new earth, I don’t believe it will be void of work. We are created in the image of God, and that includes working. He works—he creates, he moves, he watches, he protects, he provides, he works miracles. The psalmist even writes that he does not slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:3-4). He is an active God, and his movement is creative.

Wisdom & Compassion

As I recently read this parable, I was struck by the one difference in the list of commonalities between these ten ladies. Oil. Of all the things, oil. It wasn’t enough to be a virgin. It wasn’t enough to be waiting. It wasn’t enough to have lamps. It wasn’t enough to hear the cry of the Bridegroom. It came down to having oil for their lamps. Not only did these five wise maidens have oil for their lamps, they did not give it away. Even further, they instructed the other five maidens to go buy their own oil.

Love Lives Here

I hung this sign (pictured) next to the mirror in my bathroom as a reminder not to torture myself with criticisms or comparisons. At the very least, I start and finish my day at that mirror so it’s fairly important to take some authority over my thoughts in that place. I choose love. Not vain, self-centered love. The kind of love that doesn’t argue with what God made. The kind of love that grows from being rooted in God’s perfect love. The kind of love that sees past the fading and temporary — not only for myself but for others.