Rachel Fisher, Children’s Ministries Communications Specialist

Matthew 20:9-16 (NIV)

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Reflection:

Over the span of ten days, four friends of mine got engaged. This came on the heels of a cousin buying her first home. Then I found out a couple I knew was expecting their first child. Also, my roommates from college all got promotions at the same time.

Upon receiving all this incredible news, I was elated for my loved ones! But lately, I have more and more rapidly felt the crushing transformation of joy for them into insecurity about myself…

As a twentysomething, I feel I am constantly subjected to the “young adult checklist:”

  •   Are you satisfied at work?
  •   How many friends do you have?
  •   Where have you traveled recently?
  •   When are you getting married?
  •   Do you plan on buying a house?
  •   Does your social media reflect an exciting lifestyle?
  •   Where do you see yourself in five years?

Sometimes when I see my peers accomplishing items on their “checklist,” I begin to feel dissatisfied. I examine my own life and wonder what I am doing wrong. I ask myself why I am “failing” and begin to resent those whom I should be congratulating. In turning my aggressions outward, I lose the centering virtue of gratitude, measuring my self-worth on what I lack versus what I cherish.

Jesus knew how quickly the hearts of people could be poisoned with greed. We may not be laborers in fields anymore, but he still sees the disdain build up inside of us, shaking our fists at the landowner. It can be so hard to trust…to see beyond our present situations when we feel insecure.

I wish I could wave a magic wand and be reassured that my work is worthwhile, that my life has purpose and importance. But that, fellow laborers, is where our faith comes into play.

As Christians, we believe that God is with us every hour of every day, using us each in our own unique ways to bring about Heaven on Earth. If we lean on this companionship for ourselves, so should we celebrate all God is doing in the lives of others. Only by seeing our counterparts through his eyes instead of our own comparative ones do we embrace all the glory that God has intended for us. What we have placed as the image of “winning” soon washes away to a mere detail. Because our criteria are no longer about our own accomplishments, but rather it focuses on what really matters: love.

When I feel most aligned with Christ, my checklist is a simple two items:

  •   Do you love Jesus?
  •   Are you showing his love to others?

In checking these boxes, we see just how generous a landowner we serve.

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, thank you for your unwavering mercy. Please keep me focused on the task ahead, worshipping you in every action and every thought. Be with me as I journey through my struggles and celebrations, never forgetting that you sent your son to die so that I may live forever in your bountiful field. Amen.