Saturday, July 4, 1998
Saturday, July 4, 1998
Look! Here is the bridegroom! (Matthew 25:6
NRSV)
Matthew 25:5-9, "As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at
midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all
those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of
your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had
better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves." The foolish bridesmaids were not ready for
the delay of the bridegroom. They were not prepared for the unexpected.
How about us? Are we prepared or ready to deal with the unexpected turns and twists of life?
Early in my life, I didn't expect that I would be a minister. I didn't expect to spend nine years in
college and graduate school. I didn't expect to leave my home, my family, and my friends to come
to the great state of Texas. I didn't expect that my dad would lose a good career in his early
fifties, and then become permanently disabled. I didn't expect my mom to have cancer twice. I
didn't expect to get married at 29 and have an instant family. I didn't expect I would get to move
to the great city of Red Oak. I didn't expect the ministry, at times, to be very difficult. There have
been many unexpected twists and turns in my life. Life certainly has not gone as I would have
predicted. Many of you can tell similar stories, and many of you can share some very painful
unexpected experiences.
Jesus Christ will help us deal with the unexpected if we allow him to walk with us everyday of our
lives.
Prayer: God of all people, please let me never walk away from your son, so that I can
have him at my side when dealing with the unexpected. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA