“Completing Your Assignment” (FU)
During the summer of his 12th birthday, I sat with my number one son and explained to him that his time had come to take on a more active role in the production and maintenance of our farm. That he had been at my side for the past six or seven years, playing as I worked, and sometimes watching and asking questions, he now would have to take on some of the same labors, responsibilities and that his days of playing and relaxing had come to an end. To my surprise he said to me with certainty in his voice, “Ok Dad, I am ready; tell what you want me to do”. I led him to a portion of our barn that had been sorely neglected, dirty, broken and unkempt. It was my intent to turn that area into a birther pen. I barely finished my instructions, when he began to work feverishly. Over the next few days I watched him work with diligence from early morning, through the day and into the night, cleaning, hauling, painting and building stanchions. His Shoulders were sore from carrying lumber and the back of his legs cramped from being on his feet all day. I said nothing, I just watched him perform with sincerity and purpose. Finally, one evening at about 8:00 pm or so, he walked into the garage where I was repairing the car and just stood there. I turned to see his weary face, dirty and red eyed, as he slowly said to me “it’s finished”, then he turned and walked slowly into the house. I put down my tools and strode to the barn to find that my beloved number one had fully and most satisfactorily completed his assignment. He had done a splendid job and my heart was touched and over flowing with love for him, as my chest began to swell with pride. I went into the house, thanked him, kissed him, and just hugged him until his mother intervened.
I think of this as we celebrate Resurrection Day, I think of the gift of life that was given to me and to the world that day on Golgotha because of the work of our Savior, and his resurrection on the third day morning. John 19:30 “it is finished” are the words that our Lord Jesus spoke to His father when he completed a most difficult assignment, and these words were spoken to me when my son did the same. However, to be sure, I am aware of the distinct differences in the work accomplished between the two, destroying the yoke of sin and reconciling the world back to God the Father will never have an equal. But the willingness to take on the tasks because of love and obedience, the willingness to submit and to humble oneself in order that the Father is pleased is a parallel. As we observe and celebrate the day and season of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, knowing the significance of His work in this world, as believers on Him, we too, have work and assignments that must be completed because we love Him, and are obedient to Him. Because of what He has done for us, unto each person for whom we perform a kindness, we have also done it unto Him. We are to Love God with all of our being and love our neighbors just as we love ourselves. We are to pray fervently without ceasing for a world that has gone awry and the salvation of mankind. We must comfort those whom mourn and are afflicted and do so with meekness. We are to show mercy to our fellow man and to strive to live out our lives with a pure heart. We should work for peace and harmony among all people and come to the aid of the persecuted and marginalized. Above all, we can be a living sacrifice, giving our total being of mind body and spirit as a witness to God’s saving Grace through our Lord Jesus, who is the Christ. We all have an assignment that requires completion while we yet live. I look forward to telling the Father, just as I was told by my number one, “it is finished”. I also look forward with great anticipation to hearing the Father say, “Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant, enter into your rest”