“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed”. Matthew 25:24 ESV
It was a busy day and the weather was hot. Needing to pick up some things at the grocery store (flowers for my wife since I made her morning not so fun) and the drug store (Jesus’ Church was running out of paper towels and they were on sale there), along with running to the bank (obvious), I wanted to get home before my wife. So I was in a rush. But Jesus didn’t care!
Coming out of the store I loaded up my truck and noticed another shopping cart right in front of the aisle. With no thought, I moved to put MY cart right along with it! At that precise second, Jesus showed up with a request! “Put the cart where it belongs… and take the other one with you as well!” And he didn’t even say “Please!” I did what I was told.
I have to admit that being in a rush and it being hot, MY instant reaction was not ‘Christ-like.’ In fact, I have to confess I found His appearance in my spirit, by HIS Holy Spirit, kind of inconvenient and just a little rude. After all, they pay people to go around and pick up the carts anyway. But by experience, I already knew THAT argument was not going to fly. So I complied. I have learned that when Jesus shows up, it is best to simply obey. It makes Him happy… then He makes me happy!!
The verse today comes straight from the Master’s own mouth. It has a terse ring tone to it, because after the servants makes the excuse for NOT tending to the Master’s business profitably, the Master says, “You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed… throw this worthless servant into hell!” “Too harsh,” you say?
It is SOOOO very easy to forget that God owns EVERYTHING. Even ME! This life is about HIM not me! Getting caught up in the world and its ways can easily make me blind to the Master’s wishes and purposes for my life. I am a servant. Period. And if the Master wants to have a couple carts returned to their proper place, His wish should ALWAYS be my command! Me doing it is just like HIM doing it.
So yesterday Jesus showed up in a crowded, hot and busy parking lot and performed a miracle. Even though the only person that noticed… was me! I am SO grateful that He chose me to get things done in His name. And strangely, I thank Him for His intrusion into my hectic life. Our little parking lot meeting made Him, AND me, smile… so I am listening for His voice regularly for a repeat.
How about you?
