Surprised By God

Every year, around this time, I clean my oil lamps, fill them with fresh oil (pure, clean oil), and trim the wicks. I usually don’t think much about the significance of the timing until I get surprised and I’m in the middle of my process. Jesus just surprises me. It happens every year. For me, it is just how this unfolds. It seems the Father has chosen this day for me.

Sometimes I do this during Advent, our time of preparation for His coming; other times, like today, it happens near or on the Feast of the Epiphany. The Epiphany, for the Western Church, falls each year on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, which is tomorrow. Usually, the Spirit reminds me somehow and knows of my intention to honor and recognize “the revealing” in some way. It has been a part of my spiritual practice for a while now.

Epiphany, from the Latin, means “divine manifestation” or “appearance,” “revelation.” We recognize this day when Jesus was revealed or seen by the Magi from the east. So today I find myself tending to my oil lamps. I prepare for Jesus to reveal Himself to me in a fresh way; not only am I rehearsing for that long-awaited day when the bridegroom comes for the readied bride (the Church), but I believe for His revealing and appearances for today, for this moment in time. He just shows up in the most surprising ways to encourage us, to lavish His loving kindness upon us now.

So this oil lamp tending helps to remind me to be ready for Jesus to appear. For me to look, to seek, to raise my spiritual antenna (however I do that), to be made ready, anticipating, gathering my oil, trimming my wick as He “reveals” Himself, His Presence.

How about our hearts?

Oil will burn bright in the night, like Jesus who is our true Light, dispelling the darkness.

Maybe you want to recognize this moment too. It can be as simple as a quiet prayer under a starry sky, or lighting a candle, or trimming a wick; some preparing and stirring of your heart to receive Him.

He will come.

Dear Jesus,

Help my heart to be sensitive, tender, and prepared to receive You, My Epiphany, however, whenever, whichever way You want to come to me. Oh Come O Come Emmanuel, God With Us.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

References: Scriptures

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 25:1-13