Dear Father, Today it occurred to me that the parable of the ten virgins had nothing to do with people who sinned. The Scripture says: "Ten virgins took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. The foolish ones took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept..." So it was the bridegroom who delayed? Although, the delay did not contradict the promise; it only contradicted their expectations. Yet expectations, when held too tightly, can become as dangerous as unbelief. In discussing the effects evil can have in derailing a man committed to his assignment, we rarely discuss the subtle yet derailing power of delay. While initial obedience to the assignment is commendable, this race also requires completion, and the journey is not without the possibility of delay. Delay can be defined subjectively, not by how long it takes to obtain a promise, but by how long we perceive it to be. While some delays may arise as spiritual warfare that we must engage, others present themselves as occurrences we did not plan for. How do we respond when delays exceed the timing of our expectations: when, after a long while, the business still shows no sign of profit, the spouse has not arrived, or the role does not seem forthcoming? How do we respond when the delay stretches on and it seems as though our oil has run out? Perhaps, in anticipating the promise, we must fall in love with the process and acquire more oil than may seem necessary, for the wise were distinguished by their preparation for uncertainty. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #parable #thetenvirgins #delays #uncertainties