Dear Friends in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Delayed. It’s one of the most dreaded words in air travel. The word glares in bright letters from the airport monitors. Delay sounds like what it is -a long indefinite period of waiting. You can pace and Fret, but in the end, you just have to sit down, wait and recognize that some things are out of your control.

The bridesmaids in Jesus’ parable understood the meaning of the word “delay.” In the ancient world, bridesmaids were not merely the decorative formal attendants standing beside the bride at the altar; their role was deeply rooted in Middle Eastern custom. Ancient Jewish weddings culminated in a late-night procession when the bridegroom would leave his father’s house and march through the village to claim his bride. The young women of the village were tasked with waiting at the brides’ home with oil lamps to illuminate the path.  When the groom arrived, they then escorted the bride safely from her parents’ home to the groom’s for the wedding feast. Because the exact hour of the groom’s arrival was so unpredictable, maintaining a burning lamp was the bridesmaid’s primary responsibility- especially since delays were not uncommon.

Of course, delays are not just the reality of ancient wedding customs and modern airline travel. Delays occur throughout life, and God’s faithful people face delays every day. They wait for a delayed recovery, delayed health, delayed justice, delayed fairness, delayed professions, delayed marriage, delayed families and delayed joy. Perhaps, you are living with your own delay in life.

For some the cautionary moral of Jesus’ parable is simple. “Keep awake. For you do know not the day nor the hour of the bridegroom’s coming.”   But what if the parable is more than a warning. What if the parable is actually a word of hope and encouragement for believers as they struggle in a world of doubt and delays?  My friends, I believe the parable is an invitation not to dismay, but to stay vigilant.

This morning, I would like to suggest three ways for Christian believers to act faithfully in these empty times of waiting and delay.  It is the counsel that the foolish bridesmaids overlooked, but which the wise and prudent bridesmaid embraced.

First of all, remember that life can change in a heartbeat. Comedy writer Woody Allen made the saying famous. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Life is full of unexpected surprises, detours, delays and roadblocks. You must be vigilant in your preparation and your choices, but do not be surprised, if your overly rigid actions lead to humor or irony when God’s reality turns out differently. Time is always in God’s hands only. The scheduled arrival of the bridegroom’s may have been what the bridesmaids expected and planned for, but that doesn’t mean that it was right.  Winds change and things happen. The only sure thing is that God is present working his plan in your life. Be confident of that truth.

Second, be mindful that something good may come of life’s delays. Surprisingly, life’s delays can become divine appointments. Look for them. British author Lee Child famously wrote, “Pity the man who gets what he wants. (And) it’s better to travel hopefully than to arrive.” We don’t always know the reasons for the delays in life but sometimes they are right in front of us.  An on-time departure doesn’t necessarily guarantee safety. Thank God for what he gives you and what he keeps you from.  Be prepared for life’s surprises and God’s divine appointments.

Third, there is one thing that should be done. Turn to Jesus and wait on him. God will show you what to do as you look to him. Waiting does not always mean inaction – it just means not acting until you know what step the Lord wants you to take.  In the meantime, turn to Jesus in scripture, in prayer, in worship, and in the company of fellow believer. So the next time you find yourself “delayed,” pause and consider the one who is always on time. Jesus. He has everything under control.

In the Philippines, in April 1942, American and Filipino soldiers were forced to surrender at Corrigedor and take part in the brutal Bataan Death March.  During the 65 miles march, prisoners received little food or water, and were subjected to severe physical abuse, beatings and torture. On the march, the “sun treatment” was a common form of torture. Prisoners were forced to sit in sweltering direct sunlight without helmets or other head coverings. As American Company B came of their tunnels preparing for the march, the company clerk stood at the entrance holding his Bible.  As each man passed him, he ripped a page from the Bible and gave it to a fellow American prisoner.  Those who survived the death march said that this one sheet of paper in their hand helped them to believe that no matter what happened they were never alone.  Through their faith in God’s Word they knew that in spite of the delay a better day was coming.

There are some things in this world which you cannot borrow. You cannot live on the spiritual capital which others have amassed; you must gather them for yourself. You cannot rent a relationship with God; you must possess it for yourself. You cannot shelter yourself in the merits of your name, in the charity of the church, you must clothe yourself in the faith and grace of Jesus Christ yourself.

My friends, delays occur in life regardless of your best intentions, so like the wise bridesmaids you must be prepared and vigilant for the bridegroom’s arrival, but also for his possible delay.  Remember that there is nothing certain in the world except God’s love for you. Trust that God can make a divine appointment out of your delays.  Finally, keep your eye focused on Jesus. For he is the one in whom we ultimately place our trust, and who will be there at the wedding feast to open the doors and welcome you in.  Amen.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.