10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Luke 17:10
We have been taught what God expects of us in so many lessons, in so many ways, and yet we still ask “what would You have us do, Lord?” as if we’d never heard. In Deuteronomy 6:5 we hear “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In Matthew 22:39 Jesus tells us “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Finally, just before He returns to Heaven Jesus commands us “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
These are the duties God expects of us – to love Him, to love each other and to share the Good News with all the world. It sounds so simple, why then is it so hard for us to live out the expectations God has for us? It is difficult because we are always looking for the easy way, a shortcut, some method of gaining the reward without the work.
Don’t let the ways of the world change you, you have been created to change the world! Instead of finding ways to avoid our duty, let us seek those people and situations that are difficult, knowing these are the ones God sends us to find. Jesus didn’t promise it would be easy, He said if we follow Him we must be ready to bear our own cross. When we accept these responsibilities, we become God’s servants, living out the expectations He has for us.
Loving Lord, we have been called to be part of what You are doing in the world. Make us aware of those who need our attention and help us to share Your love, fulfilling the responsibility You have given us. Amen.