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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Are You Ready To Get To Work?"
April 8, 2008
I went to work for Manpower the summer that Lori and I were married.
She had an internship at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and I was
between semesters at Andover Newton Theological School. I wanted a job
that allowed me flexibility to work when I wanted. Manpower offered
short term assignments in various venues. I figured if I liked the work I
would keep working for them when the semester started. I could turn
down jobs when I had exams and take them when the semester was going
easy. It seemed like a dream come true.
I was reminded of that when I stopped downtown to get a coffee at
Dunkin Donuts. I was waiting in line and I looked across the street and
saw a small group of men standing outside the Labor Ready office. Most
of these guys were looking for work and willing to take it a day or two at a
time just so they could get paycheck. But I am sure that there were a few
them who actually liked the idea of working only when they felt like it. I
have to admit that there is something appealing about that idea.
Don't get me wrong: I have the best job in the world. That's not true for
everyone though. If you don't have a job you like, your work can a cross
to bear. My father worked at Pratt & Whitney for forty years. There
wasn't a day he didn't wish he could be doing something else. Yet, my dad
was committed to his job because it allowed him to provide for his family.
He worked every day so he could establish a home and build a life for his
children. He knew that it would take a certain level of commitment to
achieve his goals. So he paid the price and went to work every day.
I grabbed my coffee and as I was heading out the door an image of Jesus'
parable of the Lord of the manor and the laborers came to mind. Do you
remember the story? The Owner went out early in the morning and hired
some workers. He promised to pay them what was fair. The story goes on
to say that every few hours he went out and got some more with the same
promise. I've heard that story a hundred times and I know the punchline.
We usually lift it up as an example of salvation being offered the same for
those who come to it early and those who come late. Looking at the day
laborers across the street gave me a new insight.
When the Lord of the manor came looking for workers, he expected them
to work as long as he needed them. Sometimes I get the feeling that you
and I think of our service to the Lord as temporary, short lived or to be
done when we feel like it. We don't like to admit it but too often we are like
those workers at Labor Ready. We show up for Jesus when we need a
boost for our faith or when a friend is in trouble. We report for duty when
life is going bad and we want to be paid in blessings. The rest of the time
we go our own way and do our own thing.
The truth is that Jesus is looking for full time workers. He may not use us
if we come only when we feel like it. He is looking for partners, disciples
who are ready to transform the world with the Good News of God's love.
He is looking for peacemakers, men and women who are ready to feed the
hungry and minister to the sick and those in prison. Jesus is looking for
people who are willing to serve him every day. He invites us to work side
by side with him. He says, "Come and follow me."
Are you looking for purpose and meaning in your life? Then stop going to
the world's Labor Ready where you'll only get a dose now. Sign up with
the Lord's Ever Ready instead. He will give you something to do that will
bless you and the world around you. There's no better job and no better
reward for your faithfulness.
See you at work. I'll be at the Church with Jesus. Cal
April 8, 2008
I went to work for Manpower the summer that Lori and I were married.
She had an internship at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and I was
between semesters at Andover Newton Theological School. I wanted a job
that allowed me flexibility to work when I wanted. Manpower offered
short term assignments in various venues. I figured if I liked the work I
would keep working for them when the semester started. I could turn
down jobs when I had exams and take them when the semester was going
easy. It seemed like a dream come true.
I was reminded of that when I stopped downtown to get a coffee at
Dunkin Donuts. I was waiting in line and I looked across the street and
saw a small group of men standing outside the Labor Ready office. Most
of these guys were looking for work and willing to take it a day or two at a
time just so they could get paycheck. But I am sure that there were a few
them who actually liked the idea of working only when they felt like it. I
have to admit that there is something appealing about that idea.
Don't get me wrong: I have the best job in the world. That's not true for
everyone though. If you don't have a job you like, your work can a cross
to bear. My father worked at Pratt & Whitney for forty years. There
wasn't a day he didn't wish he could be doing something else. Yet, my dad
was committed to his job because it allowed him to provide for his family.
He worked every day so he could establish a home and build a life for his
children. He knew that it would take a certain level of commitment to
achieve his goals. So he paid the price and went to work every day.
I grabbed my coffee and as I was heading out the door an image of Jesus'
parable of the Lord of the manor and the laborers came to mind. Do you
remember the story? The Owner went out early in the morning and hired
some workers. He promised to pay them what was fair. The story goes on
to say that every few hours he went out and got some more with the same
promise. I've heard that story a hundred times and I know the punchline.
We usually lift it up as an example of salvation being offered the same for
those who come to it early and those who come late. Looking at the day
laborers across the street gave me a new insight.
When the Lord of the manor came looking for workers, he expected them
to work as long as he needed them. Sometimes I get the feeling that you
and I think of our service to the Lord as temporary, short lived or to be
done when we feel like it. We don't like to admit it but too often we are like
those workers at Labor Ready. We show up for Jesus when we need a
boost for our faith or when a friend is in trouble. We report for duty when
life is going bad and we want to be paid in blessings. The rest of the time
we go our own way and do our own thing.
The truth is that Jesus is looking for full time workers. He may not use us
if we come only when we feel like it. He is looking for partners, disciples
who are ready to transform the world with the Good News of God's love.
He is looking for peacemakers, men and women who are ready to feed the
hungry and minister to the sick and those in prison. Jesus is looking for
people who are willing to serve him every day. He invites us to work side
by side with him. He says, "Come and follow me."
Are you looking for purpose and meaning in your life? Then stop going to
the world's Labor Ready where you'll only get a dose now. Sign up with
the Lord's Ever Ready instead. He will give you something to do that will
bless you and the world around you. There's no better job and no better
reward for your faithfulness.
See you at work. I'll be at the Church with Jesus. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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