“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.” – Matthew 21: 28-30.
If someone asks me to do something, my usual first answer is a resounding “no.” This answer derives from selfishness which seems to be a theme of my Sabbath thought postings. It controls most of my life almost like an addiction or disease. However, after some time, God usually works on my heart and I find myself doing the very things to which I had first said no.
Many of you know that I work at an Episcopal church. The pastor there is on sabbatical until mid-December and while he is away I’m working Sunday – Thursday instead of Monday – Friday. Needless to say, Friday is not only my day for preparing for the Sabbath, it is the day I have to do everything that needs to be done. So lately when someone says let’s have potluck, I tend to want to say “no.” Now I have been reminded that I don’t need to bring tons of food. However, when core people are going to be gone I want to make sure to fill the gap so that everyone who shows up, including all guests, are adequately provided for. And while I like to cook… I’m not the fastest chef! My mom would often say “Picasso it doesn’t have to be perfect!” (Granted she just picked a painter whose name she knew… and who knows… maybe he did take a long time to paint even if his artwork doesn’t always look like it!)
So on Wednesday, when Darryl called wanting to know if we could have potluck, my first instinct was “no.” But instead of saying that, I called around to several other church members to see what they thought and all three of them told me they would NOT be at church. So naturally, when I called Darryl back I said… “yes…” but this time with the added line of “the Lord shall provide, we’ve never gone hungry yet.”
The Lord also occasionally reminds me that He doesn’t need me to fulfill His plan. He can use any number of other people including non-Adventists or even people of a completely different faith or no faith at all. So on Thursday, a lady I work with brought in this huge watermelon and said “here why don’t you take half of this.” Then a member of the church called who owns a local business wanting to divvy up among our staff the food left-over from their company picnic, hence the pan of mac and cheese! It was as if God were saying, “There now, did you not think that I could take care of potluck Myself?” In my humbled and grateful state, I also decided to make two other dishes that did not take very long, and I am happy to say that I did not spend the whole day in the kitchen.
“’Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said to Him, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.’” – Matthew 21:31-32
God doesn’t look at our outward actions alone and He can see past our initial reactions. He knows, better even than we know, that a battle rages on between what we should do and self even in small matters that seem of little consequence. In doing the Lord’s will, we often forget that not only will we be a blessing to others but we will receive a blessing ourselves.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Thank you to all those who helped in our church service today, especially Micki for playing the piano, and those who helped with potluck including not just providing food but also helping to set up and clean up. May we remember that whatever the Lord asks us to do, whether in the home, the church, at work, etc. that it is for Him. And He will provide all our need.