Untold Stories: Remembering the Faithfulness of GodSample

Known By You: Running on Empty

There are seasons where responsibilities and burdens seem to pile higher than we can keep up with. Exhaustion creeps around the corner, and caffeine only sustains our energy levels for so long before we crash. Busyness hits hard. In those times we are running on empty; it is easy to slip into a place of complacency. This is where the enemy often targets us.

In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, five foolish virgins took their lamps with no oil while the five wise virgins took oil in jars along with their lamps. While waiting for the bridegroom’s arrival, they became drowsy and fell asleep. Don’t miss this detail - though they were all exhausted, five of the virgins were still prepared. While the circumstances around the bridegroom’s arrival were wearisome, the five wise virgins still had their oil. When they awoke, the five foolish virgins left to buy oil:

“...but while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’” (Matthew 25:10-12)

Though the desert season can feel long, we don’t want our lamps to be empty. We don’t want to be like the five foolish virgins locked out of the wedding banquet because we didn’t prepare properly. We want the bridegroom to recognize us.

In exhaustion, our first response should be to run to His presence. Despite the circumstances in our lives, when He fills us up, our flames will burn higher. God never tires, and His understanding surpasses all comprehension. When we put our hope in the Lord, He is ready to pour out His strength and power on us. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Pray this prayer with me:

Lord, I cast my cares on you. You sustain me in times of weariness and strengthen me in times of fatigue. You never let the righteous be shaken. Fill me up until my flames burn higher, and let my oil never run out.