October 28

Gird And Serve

Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? — Luke 17:8 BSB

There are two aspects of rural work—agricultural, ploughing, and pastoral, keeping the sheep. Together, they represent the service we offer to others for Christ’s sake. Some of us are engaged in ploughing. In the short, wintry days, as the last leaves fall from the trees and dark clouds gather, we go forth with our plough, or bearing precious seed. In loneliness, fear, and discouragement, we walk the furrows and return asking, “Who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Or we may be called to keep the flock—searching for the lost, defending the weak, and tenderly caring for the sick. In either calling, we can grow weary, and in that state, we “come in from the field.”

When the hard work is finished, we may feel tempted to relax. Surely, we think, we deserve to indulge in some natural and innocent pleasures! But our Master does not intend for us to fall into the subtle temptation of ease. When we return from labor, He does not say, “Sit down and eat,” but instead, He meets us at the threshold, saying, “Prepare something for Me to eat; serve Me, and after I have eaten and drunk, you may eat and drink.”

This parable suggests that our Lord is saying, “You have been working for Me, but I have missed you. In the busyness of guiding the plough or guarding the sheep, you have forgotten Me. You’ve let the hours slip by without speaking to Me or listening for My voice.”

When our work for Christ is done, let us turn to Him and minister to Him. Let us prepare for Him a feast of faith, love, joy, and heart-melody. Only then may we rest. After this, He will even gird Himself and serve us (John 13:4-14).

Prayer

Dear Lord, we long for You to be more to us than Your work. It is not enough to plough Your fields or tend Your sheep; we want to serve You above all. Help us to keep You in view throughout our day, doing all things with love for You. Amen.