There is a story about Jonathan Swift who wrote Gulliver’s Travels. One day Swift was traveling with his servant. His servant was a bit lazy and had a bad attitude. Thus, Swift’s travel with him was extra challenging.
One morning after over night stay at a hotel, Swift found his shoes quite dirty so he asked his servant to clean them. But the servant grinned and said, “Master, why do you want me to go through the hassle of cleaning when your shoes will be dirty again real soon?”
Dumbfound by his servant’s response, Swift ordered him to get ready the horse to travel. While he was getting ready, Swift requested something to the hotel manager.
The servant returned and told Swift that the horse is ready. Without a word, Swift went down to the hotel restaurant and start eating his breakfast alone. Upon finishing his breakfast, Swift told his servant, “Okay, let’s leave now.”
His servant was surprised and said, “But master, I haven’t had anything to eat yet.”
Swift grinned back and replied, “Oh, breakfast? You don’t need to eat it, right? I mean, you will become hungry again soon. So why bother eat it?”
After that comment, the story is told that his servant never complaint or acted lazy.
This story reminds me of how we are called to be faithful and obedient in ALL things. There is nothing that is insignificant in His Kingdom ministry. I would love to hear Jesus saying to me at the end of my life, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Jesus said in the parable of talents to the servant who was faithful with his talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt 25:21).
If my master calls me for anything, my answer shall be like that of Isaiah’s or Samuel’s, “Here I am, Lord. SPEAK to me!”