I heard pst @the_olushola preach this at @cci_ago and I was like “wowww”…
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
I Peter 3:15 NKJV
Did you know this about the Bible?
OBEDIENCE
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
I was stranded in Doha for 2 days
I checked out of the hotel early to catch a flight to Addis Ababa. However, the flight was delayed several times and then later cancelled, so I ended up spending over 10 hours in a queue for a new boarding pass. It turned out that I stayed longer due to missile threats from Iran.
But I made the most of it!
✨ Took a mini tour of Hamad International Airport (didn’t just sit in one corner this time)
🤝 Made a friend and we took turns in the queue
😄 Met two kind Arab guys and one kept saying “Hakuna Matata” when I said I was Nigerian 😂
This trip tested my patience but I’m grateful for the little joys in a chaotic situation.
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
A Reflection on the Parable of the Ten Virgins
Reading the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), something struck me in a fresh way. All ten virgins had lamps with oil. The difference was that five were wise and took extra oil, while the other five were foolish and did not.
I asked myself “Why didn’t they just leave only two lamps on while waiting?” After all, ten people in a room could easily manage with just two lamps to see. Especially when they fell asleep, wouldn’t that conserve oil? And when the bridegroom came, wouldn’t the light from just a few lamps be enough to guide everyone?
But that’s when it truly dawned on me:
Each person is responsible for their own lamp.
Each person is responsible for their own oil.
This parable is about our individual responsibility in a shared journey. A person can be in a group, in the same space, waiting for the same promise, and still miss it because of a lack of personal preparation.
Spiritual depth cannot be borrowed.
Intimacy with God cannot be transferred.
A person cannot live off someone else’s fire.
When the moment comes; that is when the bridegroom comes, it’s your oil, your lamp, your readiness that will matter. This is stewardship. God holds us accountable for our own walk, our own devotion, our own watchfulness.
So yes, maybe two lamps could light the room.
But only the lamp in your hand can guide your feet.
Stay ready. Keep your fire burning.
And always carry your extra oil.
