Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Luke 12:34
A Story...
Those who know be know at least one thing- I try so hard. When I won the writing award in 7th grade, my teacher said, "Katie consistently gives 110%." That's why it's so crushing when I fail. If I hadn't given it so much effort, then it wouldn't be so heartbreaking.
Last night I decided to make a special Valentine's meal for Brad- cheese and spinach stuffed shells with peach/apple cobbler for dessert. Everything went well for the meal, and we had a special addition of Ruth there to enjoy it with us. But, the dessert took longer, and in my rush to sit with my guests I didn't mix the topping thoroughly.
Well, I thought it would be fine and told Brad that I'd take it over for his Bible study to enjoy, but as I was walking over I realized how much of it must be just flour on top of the cooked fruit. I was so embarrassed as the all-too-gracious Mark, Andrew, Brad and Michelle ate the flour-topped cooked fruit. And I got all upset.
No matter how much Brad told me that it wasn't a big deal, it seemed like a big deal- most likely because of the array of big deals that I'm trying to make into small deals at the moment: how I'm going to do 2 projects for my classes with observations and transcriptions, the wedding, this summer and the honeymoon and Brad leaving me, deciding what to do next year, finding a place to live, etc. When I get upset about something little, it's usually just a sign that there's something bigger that's bothering me.
But in this instance, I had made perfection my treasure. Pleasing people was the treasure, was where my heart was. And that might seem rather complacent as a conclusion, but the key is that it's not about pleasing people- it's about loving them. None of them needed apple/peach cobbler. No one was expecting it. It wasn't about a perfect dessert, which they could buy or make on their own anyway. It was about showing my love and appreciation to them. If I had kept focused on my treasure- of loving my friends- then I might've been able to apology and then appreciate my time with them. Hopefully I was still able to show them my love through my slightly hysterical demeanor. But next time, I'll remember to keep my heart and my treasure in the really important purpose of the act of service, the greatest of these, love.
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." -Matthew 25:31-46
Similarly, I read in Matthew today the familiar passage about "the least of these." And I am reminded of a special talk that Lise's father gave a while back at GCF. While it is important to serve and love those in our own circles, our own churches, it is also more important to serve and love "the least of these."
We often read this passage and think that we're doing right by feeding and giving drink to those in our community, but Jesus focuses on "the least of these." Who are the least of these in your vicinity?
Lord, show me how to reach out to "the least of these." Place them in my path and show me a way to see ways to give food and clothes and whatever is needed- a warm smile or a friendly word. May this be my treasure... to show Your love to the least of these and in this same way show my love to You.
Please watch over Nicole's friend who is recovering from an explosion. Thank you for being there to help her friend this far. I pray for Shijie this morning and her 4 interviews on Friday- guide her and comfort her and give her the confidence and skill she needs to be successful in that. Watch over Dad C as he recovers from his surgery and help him to be patient, allowing time for Your healing hand to work in his body. And I pray for guidance for Joseph this morning... help him as he considers the time and direction for his studies here.
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