The parable of the 10 virgins

Last night I attended a production of The parable of the ten virgins put on by my amazingly talented ward. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins the story is told by Jesus of a group of virgins given the honor of attending a wedding. Each of the ten virgins is carrying a lamp as they await the coming of the bridegroom. Five of the virgins are wise and bring an extra jar of oil for their lamps. Five are foolish and take no extra oil with them. The bridegroom is late in coming and the foolish virgins are out of oil and ask the wise ones for spare oil, but they refuse, saying that they might then not have enough. The foolish virgins are away buying more oil when the bridegroom arrives. The wise virgins are there to welcome him and the foolish ones arrive too late and are not invited to the wedding feast. In the muscial performance of this parable each virgin was given a name and we learn a little insight into their personalitly. We learn what makes them "wise" or "foolish" and learn about other virtues they posess. I could relate to all of the "foolish" virgins especially Adi who was held back by her own insecurities and Eliana who is busy taking care of everyone else. I've given a lot of thought to the things that hold me back spiritually. Why is it that I can make time for everyone but the Lord? Why is it that I'm always worrying about what others think of me instead of seeing myself the way he sees me? What is it that I need to do to keep my lamp burning? I've been so negative and ornery lately. I think that it is due in a large part to my spiritual lamp being dim. I am grateful the spirit who whispered to me last night, letting me know that I could be happy, truley happy if I would only committ to following the Lord. I pray that we may all find the true reason of the season and more fully commit to following our Lord and Savior this Christmas and to keep our lamps full of oil.