"Prepare Beyond the Present, Because the Future Demands More Than Excitement."
By Evangelist Oladipo Oluwatosin
One of the greatest deceptions of our generation is the belief that success is a product of luck. Many young people assume that life will somehow work itself out, that opportunities will always be available, and that when the time comes, they will find a way through. But destiny does not reward assumptions; it rewards preparation. Every meaningful journey requires sufficient oil, and every great destination demands sacrifice.
Life is like a traveller setting out from Lagos to Ibadan. A wise driver does not calculate fuel based only on the distance between the two cities. He also considers possible traffic congestion, road diversions, unforeseen delays, and emergencies. If he leaves with just enough fuel for the expected journey, he may end up stranded in an unsafe place when circumstances change. The difference between arriving safely and being stranded is often the reserve fuel carried for unexpected situations.
In the same way, every young person needs reserve oil for the journey of life. There are challenges that no one can predict. There will be delays, disappointments, temptations, setbacks, and battles that will drain emotional, mental, and spiritual strength. Those who survive such seasons are not necessarily the most talented but the most prepared.
Jesus illustrated this truth in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. All ten virgins were invited to meet the bridegroom. They all carried lamps. They all looked alike externally. Yet only five entered the wedding feast. The difference was not their appearance, background, or expectations. The difference was their preparation. The wise virgins carried extra oil, while the foolish ones assumed what they had would be enough.
When the bridegroom delayed, all ten became sleepy. But when the midnight cry announced his arrival, the foolish virgins discovered that their lamps were going out. In desperation, they turned to the wise and asked for some of their oil. Unfortunately, some things cannot be borrowed. A person cannot borrow another person's prayer life, discipline, character, faith, wisdom, or relationship with God. These are reserves accumulated through personal sacrifice and consistency.
Many young people today desire success, influence, financial stability, and spiritual growth, but they are unwilling to pay the price required to sustain them. They want the crown without the process, the harvest without the seed, and the reward without the sacrifice. Yet every lasting achievement is built upon hidden preparation. Behind every visible success is an invisible reservoir of oil.
Prayer is oil. Every moment spent in communion with God strengthens the inner man for future battles. Praise is oil. It keeps the heart focused on God even in difficult seasons. The study of God's Word is oil because it provides guidance when confusion arises. Giving, service, diligence, and integrity are also forms of oil that prepare a person for greater responsibilities. These spiritual reserves become invaluable when life's unexpected traffic appears.
The tragedy of the foolish virgins was not that they lacked lamps but that they lacked reserves. Many people have titles, certificates, positions, and public appearances, but they possess little depth. When pressure comes, what is hidden inside is revealed. A lamp may shine for a while, but without oil, its light will eventually go out.
There is an African proverb that says, "The child who gathers firewood during the dry season will not shiver when the rains come." This wisdom captures the essence of preparation. The future belongs to those who are willing to make sacrifices today. The opportunities of tomorrow are often determined by the disciplines of today.
Young people must understand that destiny is not sustained by excitement alone. It is sustained by preparation. If you know how to pray, keep praying. If you know how to praise God, keep praising Him. If you know how to give, keep giving. If you know how to study, keep studying. If you know how to work hard, keep working. These are the oils that will sustain you when others are running empty.
The day will come when those who neglected preparation will admire the results of those who paid the price. They may have attended the same schools, belonged to the same churches, held the same qualifications, or shared similar opportunities, yet their outcomes will differ because one group prepared while the other merely hoped.
Life does not reward wishful thinking; it rewards readiness. The wise prepare before the need arises. Therefore, pay the price for the oil of your journey. Build reserves in your spirit, your mind, your character, and your skills. When unforeseen circumstances arise, you will not be stranded. When others are looking for oil, your lamp will still be burning. And when the moment of destiny arrives, you will be found ready.
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." — Psalm 84:11.
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