16 December 2014 -- change your mind

It is no good to be all talk. The second son presents himself as one who does his father's will. But he does not go. The talk amounts to nothing. This son wants the self-image of one who does his father's will but he does not do it. He represents the leaders of Israel who claim to be about the LORD's work but whose hearts remain hardened and who do not repent. He represents each of us every time we worry about looking Christian more than loving. He represents us when we choose appearance over substance. He represents us when we mask a hardened heart with pretty words.

On the other hand, even if our words are wrong right now, even if we are right in the middle of uttering our refusal to serve, it is not too late to change. We are not condemned by the words we are speaking right now. God always offers us the change and repentance. There are ways in which all of us are like this son. We have said to God, "I will not," in response to his invitation. He always wants to come closer to us than we are willing to allow. But the beauty here is in the simplicity of these lines:

The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 

Let us change our minds, let us repent of the ways in which we have said we will not serve, and let us go out into the vineyard. Let us not just say we will:

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (cf. 1 Joh. 3:18).

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (cf. Jam. 1:22).

Prostitutes and tax collectors get this. Do we? Or are we too shielded by comfort? Let us recognize our poverty. Even surrounded by comfort we are unable to create peace and joy in our own lives.

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

We need to realize that this world and the joys it offers are heart-breakers. We need to turn from them to the only one who can truly satisfy.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

When we allow the LORD to remove pride from our hearts, when we come before him in humility and take refuge in him, then we shall know the fullness of his blessing.

They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.

He is good. He is faithful. His always offers his invitation. So let us bless the LORD at all times! May his praise be ever in our mouths!