42 The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.
A very important question for us to ask ourselves is this: “What is the task the Lord has placed in our hands at this time of His-story?” We would do well to be about it particularly if His return should occur during our watch. Could the task be extraordinarily difficult requiring His sufficient all achieving power and our diligence and perseverance to carry it out? Could the task be so boring and mundane requiring also this same sufficient all achieving power and our diligence and perseverance to finish it well? I love what Amy Carmichael states:
“If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider ‘not spiritual work’ I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”
God calls us to persevere in the mundane as well as in the difficult and exciting. Oftentimes life’s work can become quite daily. We would do well to remind ourselves of the wonderful command in Colossians chapter three:
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:23-24 (NIV)
Our Lord, who judges without favoritism or partiality, will repay in full at His coming. When we work as unto Him, all our efforts become holy (set apart) for divine usage and will be compensated when our Lord returns. We are told in Isaiah:
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. Isaiah 40:10 (NIV)
Jesus gives us these directives in Mark:
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Mark 13:32-34 (NIV)
Jesus’ exhortation is for each generation to be watching, waiting and working until His return or our own homecoming. Paul gives us a wonderful charge (albeit convicting) through the example of his “crucified” life and ministry:
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)
Our Lord Himself states the following about His own work in the Gospel of John:
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38 (NIV)
“The vows of God are on me, and I may not stay to play with shadows, or pluck earthly flowers till I my work have done, and rendered up account.” Amy Carmichael
Life is not nearly long enough for everything. As believers, we must be constantly seeking the “narrowed down” life which is focused on standing firm in all of His perfect will unhindered by the things that keep us back from attaining this lofty goal. “It is the life that has no time for trifling that tells.” Amy Carmichael. This is the crux of Hebrews 12:1-3:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)
"Let us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, but with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing, and God everything." St. Ignatius Loyola