Skip to content
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube
DONATE
Intentional Life
  • Listen
  • Watch
  • Read
  • Attend
  • About
    • Stay Connected
    • Membership
    • Contact
    • Share your Story
    • Who Is Jesus?
    • Found on Family Life Radio
    • Free Resources
  • Donate
  • Listen
  • Watch
  • Read
  • Attend
  • About
    • Stay Connected
    • Membership
    • Contact
    • Share your Story
    • Who Is Jesus?
    • Found on Family Life Radio
    • Free Resources
  • Donate

Labor Day Blog Series – Prep

  • September 6, 2021
Picture of Steven Davis

Steven Davis

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return (Matthew 25:1-13).

I know what you’re thinking: “What does this have to do with work? Isn’t it talking about being ready for the return of Christ?”

Yup.

But consider this. These 10 bridesmaids had one job: to have lit lamps when they met the bridegroom. And you learn there was a problem from the get-go. Five were wise and the other five were foolish.

The Greek word for foolish is where we get our word for moron from. Its meaning is not so much being silly or stupid; rather it’s being morally worthless. For the word wise, they are both practically and relationally wise. They are thinkers and in their right minds. But I don’t want to dwell on their character, but rather the results of their character.

First there was the waiting. How good are you at waiting, at being patient, especially at work? The bridegroom is delayed. How are you affected when you work is delayed? Projects are delayed. Fellow coworkers are delayed. Results are delayed. Do you feel like you’re suffering? Remember:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

If you’re facing trials and suffering at work, consider that God has you in a process which will yield in you, maturity, completion and hope.

The other symptom is distraction. Did you lose the purpose; you may have even lost God’s purpose.

But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-42).

Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Distraction can keep you from your purpose; it can even keep you from Jesus. For Martha, Jesus was in the just in other room, but she got wrapped up in the prep. She needed to refocus, and fix her eyes on Jesus.

Today’s One Thing

Back to the bridesmaids. The Apostle Paul tells us: But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:25). They knew to wait patiently for the bridegroom. His schedule was not their schedule. But they were prepared to wait, and they weren’t distracted. Reread the above passages from James and Romans. Can you see how God’s process in the midst of trials and suffering can have a profound impact upon your work? For those who are watching, give them something great to see. Maybe you can help them to fix their eyes on Jesus.

Read our first blog in the Labor Day blog series.

Popular Posts

Everyday Forgiveness

Good friends are good for the soul, providing positive experiences, motivation and inspiration for life

Read More »

Challenge Your Assumptions

Many things in our lives today are completely out of our control, so we give

Read More »

inTENtionals for When to Fix or Finish a Friendship

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Proverbs 2:11 NLT) Friendship

Read More »

inTENtionals for Marriages That Last

  Top Ten List of What You Can Do to Build a Marriage that Lasts

Read More »

How Thankful Are You?

As we move into Thanksgiving and Christmas, a question arises: How thankful are you? Are

Read More »
Previous Next

Related Articles

Circles of Control

Clearing Space for Peace

The Rest We Refuse

Site Links

  • About
  • Statement of Faith
  • Ways to listen
  • Donation Info
  • Financial Statements
  • Prayer Wall
  • Who Is Jesus?
  • Share Your Story
  • Free Resources
  • Contest Rules
  • About
  • Statement of Faith
  • Ways to listen
  • Donation Info
  • Financial Statements
  • Prayer Wall
  • Who Is Jesus?
  • Share Your Story
  • Free Resources
  • Contest Rules

About

Intentional Living National Ministry Headquarters | PO Box 35300 – Tucson, AZ 85740 | (800) 776-1070 EFCA Tax ID #38-1812892 Charity Navigator

Latest Episodes

My Spouse Won’t Change

June 30, 2025

Dr. Randy has quoted Amos 3:3 numerous times: “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” Are you and your spouse now walking

Read More »

One Thing Parenting – Part 2

June 27, 2025

How many times have you heard Dr. Randy talk about your “One thing?” Is parenting important enough to be your one thing? Parents, I’m sure

Read More »

Subscribe to our weekly broadcast and updates

Support Intentional Living

Your donation makes a difference!

DONATE!

Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube
© 2025 Copyright A Ministry of Intentional Life Media. All rights reserved.    Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

decline
Accept & Close