Throughout the season of Advent, we have been encouraged to be ready for the coming of our Lord. This morning's Gospel reading reminds us that it isn't just his coming for which we need to prepare, but also for his delay.
You know the story (Matthew 25:1-13) of the ten maidens who took their lamps and went to wait for the bridegroom. When the bridegroom is delayed, five had brought a supply of oil for their lamps; five had not. Those unprepared for the wait went to buy more oil, and while they were gone the bridegroom arrived.
There are times in our lives when Christ comes to us. There are also times when our request for His presence seems to go unanswered. In those instances, we are called upon not simply to be ready for his arrival, but ready for his delay.
When I speak of what I think to be one of the advantages of being a 54 year old campus pastor as opposed to a 30 year old campus pastor (yes - I have been at this for 24 years) I speak of the long-term view of life which I am able to share. Delays seem unending when we are in the midst of one. They seem much shorter when looked back upon with many years in between. The injuries and set-backs are real; and they are traumatic to us as we live through them. But they will pass and there will be opportunities for learning lessons.
We need not only be ready for the coming our Lord; we need to anticipate and brace ourselves for those times when He seems to be delayed. This is the message of Matthew 25.
Pastor Chris
PS. The semester ends tomorrow. This will be my last offering till classes resume on January 11. God bless your Christmas and may you have opportunity to share the gifts of God's precious Word and promise.
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