02 Oct SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2022

As someone who thrives on their efforts being both recognized and appreciated, I struggle to hear Jesus speak of a servant who does what’s expected and counts it for naught. Afraid to become anyone’s servant or slave, I don’t much care for job descriptions or a list of duties associated with titles.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind the duties of motherhood or those that fall under the title of pastor. I don’t mind responsibilities given by assignment if I feel inspired, feel competent or can rely on God to sustain me. Isn’t that the secret of successful service? We need to feel inspired, competent and have confidence that our endeavors are supported by God. At home, as an employee or volunteer, it’s important to feel inspired, competent and sustained by God.

While talking to Jon Mattis from Graceful Acres during Dartball, I heard inspiration in his voice. While watching him work with horses and riders, I saw how he was equipped for his role. While noting the number of hours devoted to his cause, I realized that he was sustained by God. Many people, including his lovely wife, Alison, recognize that Jon has found his calling.

Does feeling inspired, competent and sustained by God describe your current endeavors? How might it become possible for you to feel that way? What do you think interferes with aligning those three traits into your current life’s work?

By a show of hands, how many of you feel inspired, competent and confidently sustained by God? Perhaps you are going through a rough patch and hardly feel even one of those. Let’s try breaking them up. Who feels inspired? How about competent? How about confidently sustained by God?

It’s okay if you didn’t raise your hand at all because you feel like none of those traits belong to you. The feelings come and go. Sometimes, we possess one, maybe even two. On really good days, we fire on all three. Jesus’ disciples weren’t firing on all three. They were feeling inspired, but not competent, so they asked for an increase of faith. Their request proves that they had confidence in God’s ability to sustain them. They asked for what they lacked knowing God would provide. All three traits, inspiration, competence and being sustained by God are necessary for our efforts to fulfill God’s will.

The mission of the church is carried out by God’s disciples and our first task is to discover what is ours to do. What inspires us? In what ways are we competent? To what purpose might God be willing to sustain our efforts?

Yesterday, Steve and I participated in the TeePee Trot at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Before the run started, it poured down rain. Organizers and event volunteers were undaunted. Inspired, they even arrived early. Fruit, bagels, donut holes and energy bars lined the picnic table. Hot beverages and water bottles were available before and afterward.

Runners gained competence through practicing ahead of time. It didn’t matter if one had only run 5K on a treadmill before. Today was an opportunity to transfer miles traveled onto gravel, pavement and through soybean fields. Each runner gained competence by wearing proper workout gear: smooth fitting garments, sweat-wicking tops, comfortable shoes, and a number proudly pinned to their shirts, hoodie or jacket.

Little ones did both the 5K and giraffe run. All ages did what they could, some finished in a third the time, everyone was cheered on and kept safe by volunteers from the fire company and church. Trophy pendants patterned by the design of TeePee Trot T-shirts were made of wood that traveled up from Florida, expertly crafted by Evan Ogden.

The TeePee Trot was a great example of people and a cause coming together as a result of inspiration and competence. It was an event sustained by God. By the way, it’s not too late to donate. Thanks to everyone who made everything possible. Please come join us next year if you missed it.

I’ve asked some hard questions today, but also provided examples of discipleship. Let’s look for a moment at the hard life of a servant, the person who goes unappreciated for all their efforts, but nonetheless, spends a lifetime working hard. A servant takes on duties assigned to them by circumstance. Many of you know what I’m talking about: when a person’s life story takes a turn, when things go out of control, when a parent, the government or some other authority says, “That was then. This is now. Time to act differently. Step up.” Think of a time when fate delivered the message:

“This is now your responsibility. It won’t be easy. Good luck. No turning back now.”

Let me ask an easy question. “How many of you have had the chance to read your October newsletter?” In it, I ask congregation members and friends to think about what holds value and adds meaning to your life. Like the slave in the parable and every disciple of Jesus, we must recognize what is ours to do. Then we must become equipped to do it. The job will be easier if we understand the importance of it.

Prior to this passage, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the importance of forgiving those who trespassed or sinned against them. He said, “You can be sure, others will cause injury and offend you.” But, hear this, if they injure or sin against you 7 times… in one day, and each time, come to you saying they will change, forgive them.”

This seemed like too much to ask, and it was. That’s precisely when the disciples begged for Jesus to increase their faith. Regarding injury and offense, Jesus never expected anyone to suffer abuse or violence time and time again.

Pertaining to other duties, there were other facets to being a disciple. For several chapters now, Luke has described what disciples are called to do: preach, heal, offer peace, show compassion, be hospitable, search for the lost, and pray. The twelve understood that their duties were important. But at that moment, they didn’t feel equipped to do the job, so asked Jesus for what they needed.

The funny thing is, Jesus doesn’t respond by saying, “Okay, after I increase your faith, you’ll be able to say to the mulberry tree, be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea, and it’ll obey you.” He says, in effect, if you would apply the faith you have, even if it is as tiny as a mustard seed, you could tell that tree what to do and it would have to obey.

Imagine that. If you could recognize what you currently have you could do more than what I ask, something you haven’t yet envisioned. The slave who finishes plowing or tending doesn’t come inside and expect a place at the table. They know their work isn’t done yet.

Many people are experiencing burnout: at home, at work, and as volunteers. Isn’t that the point the apostles were making? We don’t feel equipped. How can we continue if you don’t help us, Lord. We can’t do what you ask or continue without being sustained by you.

How helpful do you think they found Jesus’ reply? If you had but a miniscule amount of faith, you could command a tree. It would obey you, uproot itself and jump in the ocean… if you said so. Did the apostles already have enough faith? Was an increase unnecessary? Let’s see if the next paragraph provides more of an explanation or may have added to their understanding.

A slave worked all day in the field either plowing or tending sheep. Instead of being rewarded, invited to sit at once and eat, the slave is given more orders. “Put on your apron, fix me a meal and serve while I eat and drink.”

This scenario still occurs among persons who work all day, paid or unpaid, tending sheep or children. It’s exhausting and unreasonable to quit working one job, shift gears, fix a meal and serve others while being deprived of needed rest and replenishment. Thus, the growing demand for convenience foods, prepared meals, time and labor saving devices.

Who are we in this scenario: the slave being asked to do more or the one asking another person to do more? Perhaps you feel like both: one whose needs are not being met and also the one asking someone to meet those needs.

I can tell you that Steve makes very few demands, but others have many expectations. As a result, I ask him to do more. I am the one who says, “When will dinner be ready?” rather than saying, “Come take your place at the table.”

A selfish way of thinking says, “Maybe the master provides things to the slave that affords him the right to ask for service. Doesn’t the master give the slave a way of life, employment, food and drink that he’s going to get later in addition to shelter?”

Even Jesus says, “Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? When having done all they were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we’ve only done what we ought to!” Yikes! How could that ever be the case? I don’t expect even God has a right to give orders or treat people as worthless. If the Lord is our master, and we are but slaves, our relationship lacks the most basic considerations. There is no love or affection, only expectation and demands, the worst kind of arrangement.

Consider this, you are not asked by the master to perform any duty for which God will not provide three things: inspiration, competence and the ability to sustain your efforts. God alone makes fulfillment of his will and the realization of our dreams possible. Figure out what you value and what will bring your life meaning, then ask God to help you. Enlist the help of others by sharing your inspiration, demonstrating your competence and showing them how God has sustained you. Let us pray.

Holy God, we know that you love us and consider us worthy partners rather than worthless slaves. Help us find sources of inspiration in you and each other. Give us increase or decrease, whatever will serve you. May we recognize our strengths, exercise our faith, and come to the table with you after working hard, satisfied with all our endeavors. In your holy name we pray, Amen.