Luke 17:10

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

                This verse reminds me of my dad. Once, the microwave was fastened to the wall above the stove had broken, and we had to replace it. We bought a new one and we were trying to put it onto the wall, and set it in. He told me that it was heavy, but that I could do it – and that it was my job to do it. I lifted the microwave with him and he told me he was going to let go, and I needed to hold it up against the cabinet so he could find where to fasten it.

                For the first couple of seconds I held fast, pushing it tightly up against the cabinet, but I soon tired and it started coming down. He told me to hold it up and I pushed again. My arms began to shake and my knees started wobbling. My shoulders throbbed, my back ached – but he still told me to hold it up. That I couldn’t drop it – that I couldn’t let it slide down or it would break the fasteners – that it was my JOB to hold this up.

                I started crying and after ten minutes of holding this back-crunching 40lb. microwave with my hands, he finally told me I could let go. He then set his tools down, gave me a hug and told me that I did pretty good.

                Pretty good?! I thought at the time. You must be joking!

                But no, he wasn’t. I did pretty good. Holding the microwave up was my job.

                This was how he always used to motivate me. He’d tell me it was my job to empty the cat box while they were gone; that it was my job to help him lug the 100lb. TV up the stairs; that it was my job to finish all my school, even if it took me until 9p.m. at night.

                And while I grumbled at the time, it was definitely a biblical principle. When we’re done, all we can say is that we maybe did everything that the Lord asked us. We broke even.  The Lord’s grace covered the rest. That’s all we can say.

                Today, I will take every task set to me as the job I’ve been given – especially throughout servant time today.