Show Up and Shine

Ever had to work really hard to conceal your total and complete exhaustion? Extra foundation under your eyes, more coffee in your system, less-than-sincere smile straining across your lips? You’re not alone. Even on the day we’re worn most thin, we look around for a little sympathy, and each face seems to say the same thing, “I need this merry-go-round to STOP! I, too, am beyond what I can handle.” It’s a part of our human experience, I’m sure, this being worn-out thing. And being tired is just part of life. But being “exhausted” shouldn’t be our permanent state of being! God’s people weren’t meant to live lives of weariness! But is it even possible to escape it?

In The Jesus-Hearted Woman, Jodi Detrick retells the story of the ten virgins (Matthew 25) and answers a question for me that has been longstanding. The story goes that ten virgins, we’ll call them bridesmaids, were waiting on the bridegroom. When he was late arriving, they lay down to sleep. But only five of them were wise enough to bring plenty of oil to last through the night. And just as they got word the groom was on his way, five of the bridesmaids ran out of oil. They turned to the wise ones and asked for some extra oil. (And here’s what’s always had me curious…) The five wise bridesmaids tell the foolish ones, “There’s a Walmart down the road; they’ve got plenty of oil. We’ll see you when you get back.”

I’ve always wondered about this. I’ve thought, “Jesus said, ‘If somebody asks for your shirt, give him your coat, too, and give to all who ask of you.’ So then why in this story do the bridesmaids respond with, ‘Get your own oil, ladies. There’s a Walmart down the road.’?”

Jodi says that the wise bridesmaids were smart enough not to give away what would sustain them. Their light was free - their oil? Well, everyone would have to get their own oil. Because if they gave out all their oil, how would they give light when it was needed?

And truth sunk so deeply into my soul. So many times, whenever anyone has demanded, I’ve handed out oil, not just light. I’ve let others toy with what would sustain me and bring me purpose in this world, when I should have been giving of the overflow of my life. Instead of being responsible to have enough oil for my light to continue shining, when my light grew dim and resources were thin, I’ve given of what I could not afford to give. You’ve done it too, haven’t you?

We women are infamous for that - we give into a deficit, we give well into the red, and then we look around, totally spent, seeking some way to be replenished. We give until the oil is gone, the light is out, and we might be able to show up, but we certainly cannot shine. Often, we’re under the assumption this is right, or even honorable. That we’re being “selfless”. (It’s actually a little on the selfish side to give everything we have to make sure everyone is happy with us - but this isn’t an essay on people-pleasing. We’ll save that for later.)

The point is, Jesus has supplied you with oil - His presence, His love, His mercies new every morning - so that you can light a darkened world. Our mission is to bring others to Him that He may also give them oil. If He is esteemed, remember, He’ll draw people unto HIM. There they can receive all they need. There’s no place for us to play dress-up, acting like everyone’s stand-in messiah, giving out our best imitation of the true oil. We will never be enough.

But! Our light will always be enough to draw others to the real Source. That’s all He’s asked you to do:  get your oil, and let your light so shine. It is possible to escape the weariness! Shut the world out for just a moment (yes, even the kids). Today, instead of living exhausted, we can choose to set limits for ourselves, boundaries for others’ influence on our lives, and be replenished in the life-giving waters of His presence. We can choose the oil, let our lamps be filled, and shine on - a bright light drawing others to His greatness and mercies.

Show up and Shine, Girl!