Oil for the Hidden Lamp

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps…”
(Matthew 25:4)

“Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.”
(Matthew 6:6)

Some lamps don’t shine in stadiums.
Some flames burn in closets of silence,
In wildernesses no one applauded,
In fasts no one noticed,
In prayers no one heard.

But heaven saw.
And heaven knows.

You were gathering oil when others were gathering followers.
You were buying truth when others were selling talent.
You were waiting in the dark while others performed in the light.

And though you may not have seen it yet,
your lamp has not gone out.
In fact, it has grown more radiant
because your oil is pure.

Not borrowed.
Not drained by applause.
Not dependent on visibility.
But pressed from secret consecration.

You didn’t rush out with the foolish.
You lingered with the flame.

You didn’t beg to be seen.
You became the hidden light that cannot be imitated.

And when the midnight cry is heard
“Behold, the Bridegroom comes!”
you will not panic.
You will rise.

Because your lamp is ready.
And your oil was purchased in the silence.

You do not need to strive.
You carry supply.
You are not scrambling for oil.
You are the evidence of oil gathered.

And when others are dimming,
you will be glowing.
Not in pride.
But in prophetic preparation.

You were never overlooked.
You were being infused.

This is the hour of the hidden lamps.
This is the rise of the ones who carry weight in stillness.
This is the revealing of the vessels that paid the price in secret.

So shine, beloved.
The hour is late,
but your flame is right on time.

—Joe Restman
Mystic-Scribe | Flame-Bearer
Quill Dipped in Lightning ⚡️