Rebuke in Miami

Matthew 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

This was the scripture chosen by the teenagers who wrote a skit for camp at His House orphanage while our church team was down in Miami ministering.  The camp was every day from 8-4 and was high energy. This trip I had the privilege of being the Nanny to our young pastors' two sons.  Two mornings we joined the team for the early devotion and worship time.  One and a half year old Micah, who has the heart of David to worship, and I were clapping and dancing to the music. There were about 4 children standing by us that were about 5-6 years old. They were not participating and their big brown eyes were watching me like I was a real sight to behold.  I danced by them and said "if an old lady like me can dance, you sure can".  One of the little girls said "are you old?". I replied, "yes, I think so".  She then informed me "well, my granddad was old and he died".  Alrighty then, I thought.  Then I replied to her that I was not going to die that I still had too much to do for the Lord.

That scene stuck with me during the week.  The team would come home tired and full of good reports and I began to wonder if all I was good for anymore for the kingdom was to cook, clean and baby sit.  Don't misunderstand me please.  I have no objection at all in doing those things and love helping and serving people. Chuck and I get much pleasure in helping people fulfill their call.  But I knew that was not my call. It is a ministry of which I love being a part, but it is not my main call. The fulfilment of the call I received many years ago seemed as far away now as it did in the beginning.  Was that call just my imagination, was I just fooling myself? Had I allowed the busyness of life to keep me from being apart of God's plans? Had I been called and not chosen?

One afternoon I was sitting on the couch cuddling with Micah. In my mind I was asking the Lord about all this. Wondering if or when I would be allowed to fulfill my call. I love hearing the reports of others doing great things for the Lord or experiencing the goodness of God. But I too want to do the same.

The Lord suddenly gave me understanding that He had given me a podium the last couple of years, but that I had neglected it. The neglect was because of good works and busyness. Mostly good things, but not what He wanted me to do at the expense of His plans for my life.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with good works.  Matter of fact there is everything right with them.  Acts 9: 36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Good works has blessings for the giver as well as the receiver and I have no intention of neglecting them either. But we have to be faithful to our own call. For me it may be an uncomely ministry, one without glamour and prestige.  But it is one for which I must take responsibility and make it a priority. We get in our mind what the package "our ministry" comes wrapped in is going to look like. Many times it looks so different that we fail to recognize it. Also, that package changes from time to time and we fail to change with it. We need not put God in a box, it simply does not work. When He calls He provides all we need, but we are responsible to put our hand to the plow and not allow other things, good or bad, to interfere.