|
THE FAITHFUL SERVANT
“Who then is
the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge
of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of
food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master
will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put
that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked
slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and he begins to
beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards, the
master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect
him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in
pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
As this is written, my family and I are
preparing for Christmas, which will be shared with guests from
other households. We plan the menu, make a shopping list, buy
the groceries. We clean and decorate the house and shovel the
snow off the driveway and sidewalk.
At this Christmas season, we have also
counted down the days on an Advent calendar and lighted candles
on the Advent wreath while awaiting the greatest gift ever given
― the baby Jesus, God’s own Son, our Savior.
So how do we prepare for him? How do we
become the faithful servant? Have we really heard the ways in
which God is calling us to serve? How best can we fulfill our
commitment as Christians by the way we lead our lives?
Each of us has something we can offer to
God through service to the people of God. We share our finances
through our offerings, but we can also share our time in service
to church and community. We can share encouragement, smiles and
handshakes. Sometimes we share tears ― either of joy or sorrow.
And always we can share love for one another and, most
especially, for God.
Let us respect and honor the presence of
God in our lives by dedicating ourselves to be his faithful
servants today and every day.
Loving God, teach us and use us for
service to you as faithful and wise servants. Amen
Marjorie Bender
|
