Expecting God

As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” Luke 19:11-27

I am flying to Richmond to attend a conference in Williamsburg. There is always a sweet sense of returning, a gathering of memories and good spirit. I will go to Jamestown tomorrow and being there once again is always thrilling. I am reminded of the services we have held there, the moments when we offered our prayers to God on behalf of Native peoples struggling to be heard within the church. Despite the challenges faced since, the good work begun cannot be undone. God is moving through many still.

Jesus was frustrated by his followers who just wanted God's kingdom, but didn't really want to work together or serve others. In every generation there are believers who await the end of times, the rapture, the great reckoning - it has many names. But God invites us to do the work we have been given, investing our time in the service of others. We are here to be servants of the world, investors in the well being and healing of our communities. We are reminded to quit waiting for some cataclysmic event and rather get to work right where we are.

Today I ask God to help me put one foot in front of the other on this journey. May all that we do be for the healing of our world. May all that we do invest in others. May God find us working for peace and justice when our lives end, and may we rejoice in the many blessings we have been given today.