In my youth, I owned an MGB-GT sports car.
I drove all sorts of places and had all types of adventures.
An MGB-GT has a dual carburetor design which required me to carry a small can of motor oil.
If either carburetor ran out of oil, the car stopped, I would have to get out the oil can, open the hood, pump oil into the carburetor, and be on my way.
This is the sense of the parable of the bridesmaids: keep oil in you lamp as well as some stored away so you don't run out while waiting for the groom.
This is what the wise bridesmaids did, prepared for the long, unknown wait since they neither knew the day or the hour.
The foolish bridesmaids, who also didn't know the day or the hour, weren't prepared for the long haul and began running out of oil.
The message of the parable is be prepared with oil and be ready for an unknown, long wait for the groom.
Waiting for the groom is clearly worth his arrival, because, as Isaiah said, faithlessness will fade away, but righteousness and praise will be restored.
More than that, when the groom arrives, the feast will begin, suffering and pain will be removed, and God's reign of justice and mercy begins.
As disciples living in an impatient society, 2000 years from the Resurrection, how do we keep oil in our lamps and wait patiently for the Groom?
Perhaps Wesley's means of Grace provides one answer: by works of piety and works of mercy.
Works of Piety like studying the scriptures, prayer, regularly attending worship keeps oil in our lamps.
Works of Mercy like visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, seeking justice, ending oppression and addressing the needs of the poor keeps us awake.
What do you think keeping awake means in everyday life today, and when and where do you do it?
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