Thursday, September 3, 2015
I know I’ve shared with you before the story of a man who wanted to sell a summer vacation property he seldom used. A Good friend of his told him he would put an ad in the newspaper to try to sell it for him. Before submitting the ad however, he sent the seller a copy of the ad that would appear the following day. It read: “Lovely 5 acre ranch property for sale by owner. It has a two bedroom home, swimming pool, a separate guest cottage, picnic area and a quiet sparkling river 500 feet away which is surrounded by many beautiful shade trees.” When the owner read the ad, he quickly called his friend to tell him he had changed his mind and not to submit it. What made the difference? Simply, the owner had forgotten the treasure that he had, seeing his unused property in a different perspective.
He had seen it as something he didn’t really need or had time for. He may have thought: “No, it is too far, too much trouble to pack and unpack, gather all the family together, or it may rain or be too hot or we may be annoyed by mosquitos and other pests, or I don’t have time for that; I have to stay close to my business calls and constantly keep up with my facebook friends, etc.” He had not seen it as a way to relax and get away from the pressures of daily life, or a chance to spend some quality time with his family, or the joyfully good times they would spend together, or the great memories they would create for the future.
Why am I telling you all this? People see serving the Lord or getting actively involved in a ministry through different perspectives as well. Some see it as not for them because they are either unqualified or just don’t have the time for it. They may think that it is going to keep them away from their family or put a crimp on their lifestyle. In his Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus spoke about those who turned down the gracious invitation of the rich man who made a great feast. Luke 14:18 says: “But they all alike began to make excuses.” In other words, they all envisioned the banquet in a negative perspective. They did not see it as an opportunity to sit down and fellowship with their friends and neighbors, have a good relaxing time, and enjoy a feast like they had never known before. Those who serve God willingly and with all their hearts, know of it’s joys and benefits. They see it as a glorious opportunity to serve God, touch the lives of others, and put a smile on the face of the One who loves them the most. These are they who will one day hear their Master tell them: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” In the end, those who serve God get more out of it than those they serve. Have you ever seen serving the Lord in this perspective?
Memory verse for the week: (Psalm 144:15) “Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”
