Many Christians Run Out of Oil

Most of what matters to God

never happens on a stage.

It happens in the dark.

In the quiet. In the early morning. In a manger.

When no one’s watching.

In the parable of the ten virgins, the difference wasn’t belief.

It wasn’t morality.

It wasn’t proximity.

It was oil.

Oil isn’t loud.

Oil isn’t impressive.

Oil is built slowly — through history, attention, presence.

You can’t borrow it.

You can’t fake it.

You can’t rush it when the moment arrives.

That’s why the wise men matter.

They didn’t show up to a palace.

They weren’t invited to a public celebration.

No crowd. No applause. No recognition.

Just a long journey.

Costly gifts.

Time spent for a King who couldn’t repay them.

Gold.

Frankincense.

Myrrh.

The most valuable things they owned — given in private.

That’s what God seems to enjoy. (All intimate relationships by the way)

Oil is private.

Gifts are private.

Time spent is private.

And yet, those are the things heaven remembers.

A lot of people call themselves Christians, but they’re running on fumes.

Professional Christians

Faith as a role.

Take away the paycheck or platform, and the fire dims.

Cultural Christians

God shows up twice a year.

Christmas. Easter.

Sentimental, not relational.

Church Christians

Faith measured by attendance.

Presence in a building, not presence with Him.

It’s a divine social club… a place to be known. Nothing wrong with church friends… but

None of those guarantee oil.

Oil is made when no one’s watching.

Like the wise men.

Like real love.

Like every healthy relationship.

I don’t want to be impressive.

I want to be recognizable to Him… to angels, and even demons. (“Jesus we know, Paul we know, but who the **** are you???” - said some demons to a fake Christian in Acts 19:15)

I want to be the kind of person you can tell has been with Jesus.

The kind of life where, if God went looking for me,

He’d find me already with Him, right beside Him.

School. Work. Dishes. Driving. Resting.

That’s where oil is made.

Christmas reminds us:

God values what’s hidden.

Heaven rewards what’s quiet.

Bring Him a gift only you can bring: your time and your heart… your life.

That’s what love looks like.

Merry Christmas - He is with us.