Menus

written by Stephan Joubert

Menus offer choices. The more choices, the more difficult it becomes to choose something to eat. Well, the gospel of Christ is not a menu with a long list of principles and values from which you can choose something to do and leave the rest. You cannot decide: "Today I will study the Bible more, but I don't really feel like noticing the poor or to treat people with differing opinions to mine with respect." You never have this luxury... not if you are following Jesus on his terms. Then you don't conveniently choose what works for you, and leave the rest.

Jesus is the Lord. We are the followers. He calls; we follow. He determines the agenda; we live it. His wish is our command. His thoughts are our words. That is the very point of his parable in Luke 17:7-10. Jesus tells how if a servant works hard all day long and arrives home really tired, he still needs to do what his master tells him to do. If the master tells him to prepare a meal for his guests, then the servant cannot answer: "I am too tired." No, he needs to do everything that he is commanded to do. It is his job to execute the wishes of his master. The same applies to us as believers. We are God's servants. God determines our agenda. A piece of good news, however, is that God is no slave driver. His burden is light. When we follow Him, we get rest for our souls.

Peace,
Stephan Joubert