I've given much thought recently to a certain parable that Jesus spoke of concerning a master going on a journey (Matthew 25:14-30). Until now, I believe that I missed a significant understanding of this parable and what Jesus really wanted to get across.
I listened to a message regarding the time of Lent and what he referred to as a season of absence. Although I am not really well versed in traditional church practices, the basic practice is to give up/fast from something throughout the 40 days of Lent. This 'giving-up' of something represents your sacrifice to follow Jesus, in spite of the many other competing things that could be followed. After giving something up, what then remains? One could say that Jesus is there. Another could say there is nothing. Basically, you create absence. You create space for something else. Despite the good intentions of many who practice this 'giving-up' for Lent, I think there's a good chance that many of them miss the boat. They will experience more of a "Wow, look what I just gave up for 40 days," instead of a "Wow, look what I just experienced in the absence of that other stuff."
In the parable, three servants are left by their master and entrusted with a large sum of money. Each takes his talent(s) and goes about his way. After a long time, the master returns to settle accounts with each servant. The first servant used his portion and earned double what he had. The second does the same, although given less than the first. The third digs a hole and stores it away, doing nothing with it, until the master returns. As you would guess, the master is very pleased with the first two, and very displeased with the third, even calling him a wicked, lazy servant. Perhaps influenced by our consumeristic society and even church, all I ever got out of that was that we should be responsible with the things we've been given, whether money, time, possessions or talents/abilities. Not that this is a bad understanding in any way, it just isn't the fullness of what the story is about. The first words in verse 14, "Again, it will be like..." are referring to what the Kingdom of God will be like. Well, when read with that in mind, this road is opened up some.
In many instances in the New Testament, our walk with the Lord is often like a journey. As disciples, Jesus says to follow Him, and He also later sends us out. But in this parable, the master is the one leaving. Jesus leaves, and we stay. I had never thought about it that way. Often in my Christianity, in my life following God, I have this premise that if God is close to me, or if I can feel God's presence close, then I will do better/be more productive in my walk/all in all, be more successful in my life with the Lord. Yet, I think that there's something to his absence in our lives, his lack of presence. In the parable, 'the master' leaves and entrusts his stuff/work to the servants. When he returned to settle accounts with them, he was pleased with the two who joined his work, regardless of how much it was they made. In verse 21, "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' " It wasn't about how much they made, but that they shared in the masters happiness. The servant who did nothing with his talent but bury it, gave it back to the master saying, "See, here is what belongs to you." He took no joy or shared ownership with the master's work.
What is significant up to this point is that this is what the Kingdom of God is like. It's not just about being responsible with our things, but that kicked up a notch and on a whole other plain. It's the Kingdom of God. It's what our life here is really about. It's what you do with whatever tools God has given and purposed you with to make an eternal difference in what matters to Him. (And if you don't know what's important to Him, it's a good place to start. )
The other significant part of this is about how I perceive God to be. I'm challenged ( yet reassured in what I've experienced) in dealing with what I perceive to be God's absence in my life. Yeah, I know that He's always with me, that the Holy Spirit is within me, but sometimes it just doesn't feel that way. I mean, I can't see Him, touch Him, or even talk to Him face to face (that could be a dangerous thing to me!). In my experience, it often feels more like I met him once, and it changed my life. I became a new person because of my encounter with him. From then on, I share in his happiness, and go about my way, trying my best to do well with my talents. Many times I receive letters and postcards from him, telling me about how he feels about me, and giving me new insights about himself and myself and the world. Sometimes those letters and postcards are frequent, and sometimes they're not. Some are more intimate, and others are more just information. But I don't fret. I know that someday, he will return to settle accounts with me. I look forward to that day, but at the same time, I'm thankful for each day that I'll have until then.
3.07.2005
8.02.2004
Sacred Space
Hello friends. I came across something that a friend shared with me and I thought was fairly significant. I can't totally tell or show you all that has led me to where I am these days, but as I found this, it has been an encouragement to me. The Lord is so good.
http://www.jesuit.ie/prayer/
This is a website with a daily devotion that actually walks you through some steps of praying. Choose the "English" button (or Deutsch, or whatever language), and let it take you through. I don't know much about where this is coming from, but what I've read so far is good. I'm also looking forward to doing their Day retreat material.
May the Lord bless you today. In His tremendous grace and love,
nW
http://www.jesuit.ie/prayer/
This is a website with a daily devotion that actually walks you through some steps of praying. Choose the "English" button (or Deutsch, or whatever language), and let it take you through. I don't know much about where this is coming from, but what I've read so far is good. I'm also looking forward to doing their Day retreat material.
May the Lord bless you today. In His tremendous grace and love,
nW
6.15.2004
write a letter...
Hey, if you have a few extra minutes, and about a buck-eighty, then check out this link "Send me encouragement".
This is an opportunity to mail a letter to a fellow brother/sister in the Lord who is currently being held in prison for their faith in Jesus Christ. This is an amazing opportunity to not only encourage someone, but also a possibility to be a witness to prison guards, etc. It only took me about 10 minutes to print/fold/seal. You know how good it feels to get mail!
"take my feet and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee!"
nW
This is an opportunity to mail a letter to a fellow brother/sister in the Lord who is currently being held in prison for their faith in Jesus Christ. This is an amazing opportunity to not only encourage someone, but also a possibility to be a witness to prison guards, etc. It only took me about 10 minutes to print/fold/seal. You know how good it feels to get mail!
"take my feet and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee!"
nW
links section below...
I finally got my links section updated, so check 'em out! If you want to that is.
nW
nW
6.04.2004
Degree of A.U.G.
Here's a little more from Shadow of the Almighty. These words seemed to have been spoken prophetically to me when I read this for the first time back my sophomore year at Jewell. And yet, they are still as convicting and moving to me now as they were then.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Many a freshman entering college has no clear idea of what he is there for. Vaguely, it is to "get an education," but many have done this without college, and many have gone to college without getting educated. The idea of education presents itself to the freshman in a bewilderingly vast variety of forms...
:::::::
When Jim entered Wheaton College in Illinois in the fall of 1945, his goal was clear. First of all, he had committed himself entirely to God and recognized the discipline that this commitment would involve. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." This automatically eliminated many problems, and many "good" things, in order to give place to those which furthered his purpose. Other students, however, lacking a defined primary aim, often pursued too many of the secondary ones presented to them.
:::::::
Sept. 1946
"The acquisition of acacemic knowledge (the 'pride of life') is a wearing process and I wonder now if it is all worth while. The shiny paint laid on by curiosity's hand has worn off. What thing better can a man know than the love of Christ, which passes knowledge? Oh to be revelling in the knowledge of Him, rather than wallowing in the quagmire of inscrutable philosophy!"
:::::::
February 22, 1947
"My grades came through this week, and were, as expected, lower than last semester. However, I make no apologies, and admit I've let them drag a bit for study of the Bible, in which I seek the degree A.U.G., 'approved unto God.'"
Oh, that more of us would seek that in our lives, in school or in our jobs, or wherever we find ourselves. As you'd expect, there are also many things he said about missionary life that have been transforming for me to read...
"90% of the people who volunteer for the mission field never get there. It takes more than a 'Lord, I'm willing!'"
"Mexico has stolen my heart. We've been here a fortnight and they have invited me to stay as long as I wish. Right now I almost wish it were for life...
The Lord has been good to me in bringing me here and giving this brief opportunity to see the field and hear the language a bit. Missionaries are very human folks, just doing what they are asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody."
:::::::
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Many a freshman entering college has no clear idea of what he is there for. Vaguely, it is to "get an education," but many have done this without college, and many have gone to college without getting educated. The idea of education presents itself to the freshman in a bewilderingly vast variety of forms...
:::::::
When Jim entered Wheaton College in Illinois in the fall of 1945, his goal was clear. First of all, he had committed himself entirely to God and recognized the discipline that this commitment would involve. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." This automatically eliminated many problems, and many "good" things, in order to give place to those which furthered his purpose. Other students, however, lacking a defined primary aim, often pursued too many of the secondary ones presented to them.
:::::::
Sept. 1946
"The acquisition of acacemic knowledge (the 'pride of life') is a wearing process and I wonder now if it is all worth while. The shiny paint laid on by curiosity's hand has worn off. What thing better can a man know than the love of Christ, which passes knowledge? Oh to be revelling in the knowledge of Him, rather than wallowing in the quagmire of inscrutable philosophy!"
:::::::
February 22, 1947
"My grades came through this week, and were, as expected, lower than last semester. However, I make no apologies, and admit I've let them drag a bit for study of the Bible, in which I seek the degree A.U.G., 'approved unto God.'"
Oh, that more of us would seek that in our lives, in school or in our jobs, or wherever we find ourselves. As you'd expect, there are also many things he said about missionary life that have been transforming for me to read...
"90% of the people who volunteer for the mission field never get there. It takes more than a 'Lord, I'm willing!'"
"Mexico has stolen my heart. We've been here a fortnight and they have invited me to stay as long as I wish. Right now I almost wish it were for life...
The Lord has been good to me in bringing me here and giving this brief opportunity to see the field and hear the language a bit. Missionaries are very human folks, just doing what they are asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody."
:::::::
6.03.2004
the right way
taken from Shadow of the Almighty, by Elizabeth Elliot, some words about Jim's parents...early 1930's
"They wanted the best for their children ('except money, which can become a curse,') and gave it to them -- spiritually as well as physical care, and all other good things they could offer. If the child failed to appreciate the need for spiritual guidance, he probably failed, too, to see the need for physical rest when bedtime came around, but the parents guided him just the same, to God, as well as to bed."
a little later...
Obedience and honesty were stressed above all else in the discipline of the chidlren, while mischief was sometimes winked at and sometimes reproved with a brief scolding. [Jim's parents] made an issue of nothing unless they intended to carry it through, believing that empty threats were dishonest and ruinous to a child's sense of justice. Fred Elliot (Jim's Dad) administered the more serious punishments, occasionally postponing a spanking in order to give it in private. When the children reached the age of fourteen, they were told that from then on they were responsible to the Lord for their actions, since they had accepted Him as Savior and Lord of their lives. "And don't ever think you'll get by with something because we don't know about it," their mother told them. "God knows, and has His own way of punishing."
"They wanted the best for their children ('except money, which can become a curse,') and gave it to them -- spiritually as well as physical care, and all other good things they could offer. If the child failed to appreciate the need for spiritual guidance, he probably failed, too, to see the need for physical rest when bedtime came around, but the parents guided him just the same, to God, as well as to bed."
a little later...
Obedience and honesty were stressed above all else in the discipline of the chidlren, while mischief was sometimes winked at and sometimes reproved with a brief scolding. [Jim's parents] made an issue of nothing unless they intended to carry it through, believing that empty threats were dishonest and ruinous to a child's sense of justice. Fred Elliot (Jim's Dad) administered the more serious punishments, occasionally postponing a spanking in order to give it in private. When the children reached the age of fourteen, they were told that from then on they were responsible to the Lord for their actions, since they had accepted Him as Savior and Lord of their lives. "And don't ever think you'll get by with something because we don't know about it," their mother told them. "God knows, and has His own way of punishing."
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