Recap
I’m back. Sorry that took so long. I had to go cut some more logs as I had used up all the firewood.
So just to reflect on what I have already told you. I have started to tell you the story of my life. As you are aware, my name is Robert. I am 72 years old and have lived a wonderful life.
As I have told you previously, I used to work for the King as his messenger. I got to travel across the nation for him. One of the most vivid memories of my career was when the King decided he wanted to host the greatest banquet ever.
So I travelled across the country to deliver the invitations. To my astonishment 3 guests Joshua Ross, James Howard and Lady Natalie declined the invitation for various reasons.
As I have previously said, I think they could have responded much differently. They could have taken the opportunity to share the good news, the gospel within their current situations. Let me break it down for you.
The story continues
Do you remember Joshua Ross? He had just won the auction for a local field. He said he couldn’t attend the banquet as he had to tend to the field. Yes, Mr. Ross was very excited and had a business to manage.
I look at this situation and ask the question, what if Mr. Ross had responded to the invitation with something by saying “Wow, that's awesome, I have always wanted to go to a king's banquet. I have just won the auction for a field. I will have to go and visit it while I am there to see if there is some food I can bring to the banquet.”
There was also James Howard. He had just bought new oxen and was going to go and test them out. When I reflect on this encounter, I can see how Mr. Howard had a business to tend to, yet I can’t stop thinking about the opportunity he missed.
What if Mr. Howard had instead said this? “Awesome! I would love to attend this banquet. You know what? Instead of just being a guest I will go get my oxen and attach my carriage. I can then test out my oxen and at the same time I can pick up a guest for the banquet.”
Lady Natalie was very lovely and very excited that she had just gotten married to Master Michael. She told me that due to the recent wedding she couldn’t attend the banquet.
Again I see this as an opportunity missed. The other response she could have had could have been excitement that Master Michael and she could attend the banquet together due to their recent wedding.
All of these situations offer an opportunity for the guests to be a contributor to the banquet.
I have spent many years thinking about these encounters. I have realized these three invited guests can represent three areas of our lives.
Joshua Ross bought a field so this can represent our possessions. James Howard bought new oxen and this can represent our employment or business. Lady Natalie and her recent marriage can represent our personal lives or family relationships.
God can use you
We can often go through life asking how can God use me? We say we know how God can use a nurse, doctor, lawyer or pastor but how can God use me?
Maybe the everyday situations of life are the fertile ground ready for God to use if we could only take the opportunity.
Let me give you an example: My daughter Lucy is a hairdresser. Lucy was telling me recently how she has one lady who had been coming to her for years.
Lucy was telling me how 10 years ago this lady was sitting in her chair talking about how proud of her son she was. Her son had just graduated and told her all the plans he had for his life.
But last week the same lady was sitting in her chair telling her about how her husband is sick. I was so proud of my daughter when she told me, “Dad I could feel God’s heart breaking with my client's pain.”
She went on to say, “you have taught me how to love the way God would and to partner with and release healing.” Lucy told me that she didn’t charge for that haircut as she saw that as her way of blessing her client. She also told me how to pray for peace and healing for her client.
Lucy took the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus. Our vocation can be the primary area that God wants to use to express his mission.
Thanks for letting me share my life with you. I will leave you with this one question:
How can you partner with God today to expand His Kingdom?
Barry Kirby is a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in relationship with Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barry works and worships with the Salvation Army based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Barry Kirby is a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in relationship with Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barry works and worships with the Salvation Army based in Wellington, New Zealand.