Sep272026
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Something Great.

Most of us approach life like the inchworm in the garden. The inchworm crawls forward and sees a branch. It then climbs over the obstacle and sees a rock in its path. The worm takes on the challenge, climbs up the rock, and goes over. Then it sees a pool of water. The worm says: “I am not going over there. That is where the froggies live.” It moves over a dead leaf that fell to the ground and takes a few nibbles. If only the inchworm could soar like the eagle and see the big picture. It would see the beautiful garden, the flowers and the rows of apple trees and all its tasty fruit. If he did, he would think, “I want to be a part of this, something big, something great.

The father in Jesus’ parable asked his son to work in the vineyard. The son tells his father, “No.” The parable does not tell us why the son refuses, but we can assume there must be something important in his path. Maybe the son has to finish a term paper that day. Perhaps he is passing papers on his first home. He would rather spend a few days moving in before he runs off to some field. Or maybe he was invited to a friend’s wedding, and he wants to have a good time instead of working in the heat at a vineyard. But something unexpected happens. He changes his mind and goes to work in the vineyard. What would make someone do that? I believe he saw the big picture. He saw a vineyard filled with ripe grapes ready to harvest. He saw the grapes producing world-class wine. The great kings of the east were summoned for a feast, and there the wine was served. The kings were stunned by the wine’s richness. “Where did you get such rich food and drinks.” The son goes to the vineyard to harvest the grapes because he saw the big picture, and he wants to be a part of something great.

It is not easy to follow Jesus’ instructions. We may not feel like carrying the cross today, or forgiving someone who just hurt us. We may not feel generous or want to make a sacrifice for someone. Loving enemies is never easy. Jesus makes hard demands, but when we see the big picture, we will always say “Yes” because we will want to be a part of something great.  

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