Since being ordained to Elder in 2022, I’ve often returned to one of Jesus’ stories, “The Parable of the Bridesmaids” (Matthew 25:1-13). In this parable, ten bridesmaids wait for the bridegroom to arrive. Five are wise and keep their lamps filled with oil, ready for the moment, while five are caught unprepared and miss out.
This story has both motivated and haunted me in my faith journey. I don’t want to be one of the bridesmaids with an empty lamp. When I read this story, I don’t see the wise bridesmaids as rude, selfish, or stockpiling without sharing. Instead, I hear a reminder that only I am responsible for my own spiritual growth and readiness. Nobody else can fill my lamp for me unless I’m willing to put in the work myself.
For me, the bridegroom’s arrival is not just a single event in the future; it’s finding myself in the unexpected moments when ministry calls me to be ready: being asked suddenly to offer the laying on of hands, guiding someone through difficult faith questions, or finding myself equipped to share our church’s beliefs and identity when someone unexpectedly asks. The oil in my lamp is the grace, forgiveness, and understanding I need to offer when someone has hurt me, so that light, not bitterness, shines through. These moments are rarely anticipated or scheduled in a worship service—they catch us by surprise. “Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour”. (Matthew 24:13)
Over the past three years as an Elder, I’ve discovered that readiness doesn’t come from stockpiling for myself, but from being open to God’s Spirit in everyday encounters. These moments—whether in sacramental ministry, conversations of faith, or gestures of compassion—are glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking in.
It hasn’t always been easy. Navigating sacraments in unfamiliar places, facing change fatigue, and making mistakes along the way have stretched me. But I’ve also learned the value of surrounding myself with encouragers, seeking out study, prayer, and reflection, and saying “yes” to uncomfortable new places of ministry.
Of course, there are days when I’m caught off guard. I miss a “Kingdom of God” opportunity, a chance to listen deeply, to forgive quickly, or to share my faith when someone asks about it. But I take comfort in knowing that God’s Spirit continues moving, and there will always be more opportunities to prepare for. The invitation is ongoing: to keep filling my lamp so that when the next moment comes, I can respond with light rather than regret.
I give thanks for the ways God has shaped me since ordination, and for this community’s love and encouragement—the well where I refill my oil, keeping my lamp burning and ready.
Emma Ghazarian