Wednesday, February 19, 2025

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25: 21, New Living Translation)

               I did it. I finished it.  Last week, I put the finishing touches on my Lego set.  All 43 bags of thousands of pieces, some as tiny as a tack  head. The Gotham City city-scape is complete. It took patience, persistence and perseverance. There were times when I had to undo what I had just done and start over again on the section on which I was working in order to get it exactly right. My arthritic fingers sometimes complained about the minutiae of working with so many small pieces.  It isn’t perfect; the instructions were perfect, but I am not. But it all worked out in the end.

                As I built the set, I worked on a small section of the big picture, one section at a time, each just a very small part of the bigger enterprise. Sometimes, I really didn’t know exactly what it was I was building or how exactly it was going to fit into the big picture. But I trusted the creators of the project and forged ahead. When I finished that particular section, I would fasten it to the main board, hoping against hope, that I would feel the little click that told me that it was in its proper, rightful place.  But sometimes, I would become so focused on the small section that I failed to see the bigger, more complete picture which was unfolding before me. It wasn’t really until I was all finished that I could truly appreciate the whole thing and feel very good about what I had accomplished. Even a little amazed at myself for what I had done.

                Consequently, I was drawn to Jesus’ parable about the three workers to whom the estate owner gave financial capital to help the business to prosper and thrive while he was away. Two of the workers   invested wisely and shrewdly, doubling the initial investment. But the third worker became anxious about the responsibility which he had been given and simply buried the money. “Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.” (Matthew 25: 24 25, The Message Bible)

                The third worker was so focused on the minutiae that he failed to see the big picture. He was afraid that he would fail. He was worried about what the ‘boss’ would think or how he would react if his work was unproductive or unworthy or unsuccessful. So he decided the safest course of action was to do nothing. And by doing nothing, he contributed nothing to the Kingdom of God project which I believe is what is implied here.

                It is a parable which encourages us to stretch ourselves when it comes to Christian living. Some people may think “Well I love Jesus and Jesus loves me, so that is all that matters.” And never attempt to build on that great truth. Some may become so focused on themselves that they fail to see how they fit into the bigger picture of building God’s Kingdom. Others may fear making mistakes or feeling inadequate or worrying about God’s judgment that they bury their heads in the sand, hoping that God will gloss over their lacklustre performance.

                “Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.” 1 Corinthians 3: 11 -17, The Message Bible)

                We really shouldn’t want to live in a “just barely” life. Far better if we were to strive to live a “good and faithful work” life. This a life that strives to do good, a life that thrives in love and compassion, a life that finds joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in following the ways of Jesus Christ. Each of us called to do our part. Sometimes, maybe, we don’t see how our little pieces of the picture fit into God’s overall vision but we need to trust the Creator. We may not be perfect but God is and his plan needs us to participate as fully as we are able.  Nobody said it would be easy. It takes patience, persistence and perseverance. Let us each do our part and then step back and marvel at the wonder of God’s vison and master plan.  You may be amazed at yourself!

Dale