Desiring the Requirement of Oughtness

Scripture:  Matthew 25:2 - And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

It's always wise to wait well when waiting, waiting well meaning waiting as ought- and of the greatest oughts there are, given of God's word, is the oughtness 'to love'.  Love's opposite cannot coexist with it, and it is called indifference.  

When love touches indifferent water,it blushes ... "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine...the governor of the feast called the groom...thou hast kept the good wine until now." John 2:9,10

Eyes which are unseeing are indifferent to beauty, until love shows up..." He [Jesus]spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him,'Go wash in the pool of Siloam', He went his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:6,7  

When love enters the temple finding industry over worship, it clears the stadium  and overturns tables..."And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep and the oxen; and poured out the changer's money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves,'Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise'"...John 2:15,16.

And when love steps from the mourning crowd, calling the dead one to strut from the tomb, the indifferent wrapped in grave clothes enlivens to be the living Lazarus all knew."Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he [Jesus]raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him." John 12: 1,2

Seeing incompletely, the foolish five, being indifferent to the need for readiness of their oughtness, let their oil run out, and sought selfishly to risk the blessing of the other five, those who showed readiness, letting love reign by being, thinking, and doing as ought. They had everything required, oil included.

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the groom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the groom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the groom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the groom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." Matthew 25:1-10

[surely the good sistuhs knew that the oil store was closed at midnight, but I digress]

When love reaches out with either a shout or a whisper, the way of life is paved, and the informed, must be ready as ought. Indifference blocks the blessing, even across the detail left out such as some oil. [a little leaven effects the whole loaf]

We cannot be indifferent toward our calling, not one bit, for what God brings is for the good. And love abounds through details.

Prayer: Abba, Father, as I wait for the revealing of the Lord, help me to be as I am required, to do as I ought, down to the very detail. Help me to wait well. This I thankfully pray, in Jesus name. Amen!

(by Dr. McNeal Brockington)