REDUNDANCIES ARE NECESSARY
Redundancies are back-ups, extras. We all have two eyes, two ears, arms, legs, hands, feet, ovaries, testicles. These are God-given redundancies.
If we lose one, or one is disabled, we can still keep going somehow. That is the practical value of redundancies .
The 10 bridesmaids were all told to bring along a flask of oil with their lamps, while awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom at an uncertain hour.
The flasks of oil reified redundancy; the oil-filled lamps only immediacy .
Five wise bridesmaids did get extra oil, but five foolish bridesmaids did not get extra oil, getting caught short!
Their urgent requests to their more prudent sisters to share their extra oil was refused, lest they, too, though diligent, may also be found wanting like their foolish sisters on that night!
Life can be as uncertain as the hour of the bridegroom's arrival, whoever and whatever that "bridegroom" may be, in your particular circumstances.
Have your redundancies pre-placed. Whether such redundancies be your family, your monetary savings, your social or fraternal or sororal network in place; also your church; or other resources, allies, friends, provisions, and whatever redundancies in place.
In short, be prepared! Use the warm sunshine of summer to prepare for the snows and storms of winter.
Be literally like the ant and not like the grasshopper, those famous literary symbols contrasting redundancy and immediacy in nature and in humanity.
When your bridegroom comes make sure you are ready with your extra oil to enter into the upper room with joy!
Don't be left outside with an empty oil lamp. In an era of uncertainty, no one can be expected to share with those who were indolent and less diligent, thereby putting themselves at risk!
Redundancies protect you and yours, being necessary and salutary to life!
Redundancies are back-ups, extras. We all have two eyes, two ears, arms, legs, hands, feet, ovaries, testicles. These are God-given redundancies.
If we lose one, or one is disabled, we can still keep going somehow. That is the practical value of redundancies .
The 10 bridesmaids were all told to bring along a flask of oil with their lamps, while awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom at an uncertain hour.
The flasks of oil reified redundancy; the oil-filled lamps only immediacy .
Five wise bridesmaids did get extra oil, but five foolish bridesmaids did not get extra oil, getting caught short!
Their urgent requests to their more prudent sisters to share their extra oil was refused, lest they, too, though diligent, may also be found wanting like their foolish sisters on that night!
Life can be as uncertain as the hour of the bridegroom's arrival, whoever and whatever that "bridegroom" may be, in your particular circumstances.
Have your redundancies pre-placed. Whether such redundancies be your family, your monetary savings, your social or fraternal or sororal network in place; also your church; or other resources, allies, friends, provisions, and whatever redundancies in place.
In short, be prepared! Use the warm sunshine of summer to prepare for the snows and storms of winter.
Be literally like the ant and not like the grasshopper, those famous literary symbols contrasting redundancy and immediacy in nature and in humanity.
When your bridegroom comes make sure you are ready with your extra oil to enter into the upper room with joy!
Don't be left outside with an empty oil lamp. In an era of uncertainty, no one can be expected to share with those who were indolent and less diligent, thereby putting themselves at risk!
Redundancies protect you and yours, being necessary and salutary to life!