Duty

Luke 17:7-10 NIV

7"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?

8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?

9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "

When you were a kid, did you try to wheedle extra money out of your parents for doing your chores?

Maybe (hopefully) you had the kind of parents who pointed out that room, board and clothing (and everything else you could need) were provided for you and that helping out around the house was a family responsibility to be shared by everybody.

Right?

"Duty," is a tough sell. Jesus was constantly involved in that struggle with his disciples.

They wanted to be first, or considered best, or certainly to be recognized for their works and accomplishments.

The world we live in tells us to value ourselves based on how we are compensated for the work that we do.

But what Jesus seeks is relationship --- based on love, respect and admiration. Our "duty" in serving him is to be motivated to action by the need to reciprocate the love he has shown us.

We serve in the field of the one who loves us, who saves our lives forever. The duty of serving could be seen as privilege enough in itself.

The miracle is that Jesus calls us brothers and sisters. We are adopted into God's family, and given a seat (as our communion liturgy reminds us) at the heavenly banquet.

For today, let's ask God to "show us where the work is."

Prayer: May you strengthen us to find joy in doing our duty as your servants.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Scripture for Tomorrow: Psalm 137:1-6