THE LONG WAIT
Memorise: And saying, where
is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2nd Peter
3:4
Bible Text: Matthew 25:1-13
Bible in one year: Exodus 15:22-17:16,
Romans 9:1-18
Imagine that while running a marathon, with all
your focus on the finish line, you suddenly run out of energy; would it be easy
for you to complete the race? Definitely not! Most likely, you would have to
pull out of the race. We see this scenario repeatedly playing out itself in the
Christian race. Many people who started the Christian race, who were expected
to run the race to the end, have suddenly run out of steam and are falling by
the wayside. When the 10 virgins in our Bible reading started their race, they
all hoped to finish it. One lesson this parable teaches us is that the race may
be longer than expected. If anything, you must plan to run for as long as it
takes until you reach the finish line. Only five of the virgins realised the
need to sustain their resolve, and so they were careful to carry some extra
oil. Beyond what every other person is doing, what additional preparations are
you making and what extra precautions are you taking with respect to the race
set before you? If you truly want to reach the end of this Heaven-bound
journey, you will need more steam in your reserves. You will need more of the
anointing, because it’s not by power nor by might that victory is secured. The
anointing that works miracles, signs and wonders is different from the anointing
that gives grace to hold the baton till the very end. Your zeal gives grace to
hold the baton till the very end. Your zeal to continue needs to be renewed
daily. May you never lack the will or the power to run the race!
We are in a marathon: the course of which can
sometimes be longer than expected. It can also be more stressful and more
demanding that we ever thought. When I got saved, most of us who were saved at
that time believed that Jesus would most likely come back within 10 years of
our salvation. I was a lecturer then, and on several occasion, some students
would come to me asking “Since the Lord is coming very soon, why are we
studying?” I told them that since Jesus asked us to occupy until He comes, they
needed to continue their studies and do other legitimate things, especially
since we were not told the exact time or day of His coming. A colleague of mine
who was supposed to pursue a PhD programme even cancelled it. He believed that
Jesus would come really soon, and so acquiring a PhD would be useless. Over 30
years down the line, we are still waiting for the Lord. Don’t be tired of
waiting for the Lord’s return. Occupy yourself with the things He gave you to
do, and keep being focused. You shall surely reach the end of the race, and you
will finish strong in Jesus’ Name.
Action Point:In expectation of
the Lord Jesus, live each day as if it were your last, but do not neglect to do
all that is expected of you.
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