Nougat 26

Have you ever been tasked with a chore or given responsibility and delayed? Did you get caught? I remember some not so happy moments when I was caught out. I think I would have preferred physical punishment when I was banned from fun activities. And whether or not the ‘gem’ was repeated, but it surely reverberated in my thoughts: ‘if a task is once begun, never leave it till it’s done. Be it even great or small, do it well or not at all. Such profound words were not always appreciated when obliged to complete the task I’d delayed. But it certainly captures the essence of the attitude we ought to maintain for the tasks God has assigned to us. We continue our reflection on servanthood and stewardship in today’s Holy Nougat

“If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭46‬-‭47‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So before unpacking our nougat, I feel I should ask, Do We Know Our Divine Assignment? And although we all ought to be fulfilling the Great Commission, is there a specific assignment that has your or my name attached? Like Pharaoh’s daughter was assigned to Moses’ family, and by extension, the Twelve Tribes of Israel in its entirety (see Exodus 2). That one task had a ripple effect that changed the course of biblical history! What if she didn’t recognize or accept her task, or if she failed to complete it?

If we are unaware of our task, this would be the perfect opportunity to ask God directly. Just say Lord please reveal to me the assignment You have for me in this season. Help me to be open to the task and look to You for guidance in locating and completing it. Thank You Abba for trusting me as Your steward. Amen

As God’s steward, we each have a chance to complete our task before the Master’s Return. And while we are not sure about how much time we have, we know that when the task was assigned, there was enough time apportioned for completion if we don’t lallygag.

Let’s say we have the conviction to pray for someone. We might not initially have a specific issue to cover, but we it may well be that when we begin to pray, words come. Or we might even start praying and discover later that transformation happened. I know of cases where folks missed their assignment and had to live with regret for the missed opportunity.

It may be sharing material gifts with others, like the Good Samaritan. He didn’t know the injured man. And, given the rivalry (ok enmity) between Samaritans and Jews, it’s highly unlikely that upon being healed, the Jew would physically compensate the Samaritan – assuming that he found him. Yet the Samaritan went to great lengths to complete the task assigned, even when others opted out.

While the example of the Good Samaritan is a parable, it is just as applicable as if it was real and equally as feasible. Our Samaritan was focused on an intrinsic reward, not seen by human eyes. And that’s where our focus ought to be, on the reward God gives.

Now we’ve asked for direction regarding our assignment, let’s get to it. No delay.

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May all we seek be found in Christ