There’s something about this parable that feels incredibly personal right now. Maybe it’s the sense that we’re in a season of waiting, of watching, of preparing—but also a season that’s confusing, busy, and stretching in ways we didn’t expect. And Jesus meets us right here in the middle of it.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about oil—not just the physical kind, but what it represents: worship, light, healing, provision, and above all, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Oil doesn’t come easily. It takes time, pressure, and intentionality. It’s the result of crushing, of process, of sticking with it when things feel hard or unclear. And that’s kind of what mature faith looks like, too.

This parable reminds us that being ready for Jesus isn’t about scrambling at the last minute. It’s about learning to live close to Him now—filled with oil, steady in our love, anchored in His presence.

Growing Takes Time (And That’s Okay)

Sometimes we want spiritual growth to be fast and flashy. But just like olive oil is made slowly and carefully, our walk with Jesus grows deeper through ordinary, sometimes uncomfortable moments. When life presses in, it can be tempting to look for a shortcut. But the oil—the kind that lasts—only comes through abiding.

Here’s what we’ve seen:

• Maturity happens in the valley, not just on the mountaintop.
• Trials refine us—they strip away what doesn’t last and reveal what’s real.
• Preparation matters—we don’t just drift into readiness; we’re invited to choose it.
• Surrender is part of the journey—repentance, prayer, unity, openness. These aren’t add-ons; they’re how we stay soft, stay filled, and stay close to Jesus.

You Can’t Borrow Oil

One of the questions people often ask about this parable is, “Why didn’t the wise bridesmaids share their oil?” It feels harsh until you really think about it. You can’t hand someone your trust in Jesus. You can’t give away your spiritual roots. You can’t download someone else’s abiding life.

You can share your story. You can encourage and invite. But the actual walking with Jesus? That’s something only each of us can do.

Who Are You Becoming?

There’s a striking line from a movie: “You dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change—the devil changes you.” It’s intense, but it speaks to a deeper truth. We are always becoming. Always being shaped by who and what we spend time with. And that goes both ways—if we spend time with Jesus, we begin to reflect Him.

It’s not about striving to change ourselves. It’s about being with the One who changes us from the inside out. And that kind of change is slow, subtle, and real. You might not notice it right away. But over time, you’ll realize—you think differently. You love differently. You’re becoming someone new.

So ask yourself: Who or what is shaping me right now?

The Pressure to Figure It All Out

It’s easy to fall into the mindset that life with God means doing all the right things and hoping for His blessing—while still carrying the weight of responsibility alone. In difficult seasons, that pressure can quietly return: hustle harder, figure it out, make it work. The question “What does God want?” gets drowned out by urgency. But God isn’t asking anyone to carry it all. He’s inviting trust. Even in situations that seem to demand self-reliance, He is already working—providing in ways that may not be visible yet. His provision doesn’t always arrive on our timeline, but it always comes from His love.

Cultivating a Life of Readiness

Being ready for the Bridegroom isn’t about fear or pressure. It’s about joy. About living like you know you’re chosen, loved, and invited into something beautiful. Like a bride preparing for her wedding, not with dread but with anticipation.

It’s a shift from “I need to get this right” to “I want to be close to Jesus.”

Here’s what readiness can look like:

• Making space for Jesus in your everyday.
• Paying attention to the moments where you feel Him stirring your heart.
• Responding when He calls—not perfectly, but faithfully.
• Letting go of control and trusting that His presence is better than your plans.

From New Love to Mature Love

Our journey with Jesus grows over time. Song of Solomon paints this beautiful progression:

1. New love – “My beloved is mine, and I am His.” (Song 2:16)
2. Mature love – “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” (Song 6:3)
3. Surrendered love – “I am my beloved’s, and His desire is for me.” (Song 7:10)

Each stage invites us deeper—not into perfection, but into trust. Into a life of joy, abundance, and closeness with the One who loves us most.

So What Now?

Here are some simple questions to sit with:

• What’s the oil in my life looking like right now?
• Where have I been trying to do it all on my own?
• What small invitations has God been giving me lately?
• Who am I becoming?

This isn’t about shame or pressure. It’s about waking up to joy.

Jesus said He came to give us abundant life—not just in the future, but now. Life that overflows. That fills and fuels and sustains. And that’s what the Holy Spirit offers us: oil that keeps our lamps burning, joy that keeps us steady, and presence that gives us peace even in uncertain times.

The Bridegroom is coming.

But even before He arrives—we get to live in His presence, right here and now.

So let’s stay awake. Let’s stay filled. Let’s keep showing up, oil in hand, hearts ready.

He’s worth it.