Well Done

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

              I was standing at the back of my work truck with a length of flat metal stretched across the tailgate and beginning a cut with a hacksaw. The prospect that I might nick the paint on my truck wasn’t a concern. As I was rhythmically working the saw blade back-and-forth across the metal, and the specks of metal shavings fell, I started thinking about my work truck. Waves of increasing affection for it surged with every saw stroke.

              I love that old truck. I don’t love her because she is beautiful. She’s not. The dash is dusty, and the seat is torn. When I need to test some paint or drywall spray texture, I brush or spray it onto the bed. The tailgate shows the signs of regularly being used as a makeshift workbench. I gave up caring what she looked like a long time ago. It’s a utilitarian vehicle. It’s meant for work and that’s how I treat her.

              That old truck will never win any trophies for show. But she starts and runs and takes all the abuse I give her without complaint. She ain’t pretty, but pretty is not what I bought her for. She’s getting old now. The miles are adding up. Sadly, one day will be her last day. She will go the way of all worn-out trucks. When she does, I will say, “Well done, you good and faithful servant.”

              Soon our time here will be over. We will stand before Jesus. What will he say? He won’t be handing out trophies for “best of show.” It will be the “workhorses” that hear “well done.” The servants whose knees calloused from prayer, whose days on earth were cut short by persecution, whose energies were spent for Christ’s glory, who gave out of their need, who trusted Him when unbelief seemed more reasonable, who loved when hate would have been easier and felt better, who faithfully assembled with God’s people…these will be called “good and faithful.” It will be those among us who give up their lives for Christ’s sake that, in the end, find it. And those who have tried to save their lives here, who secured it all polished and shiny, with low miles and garage kept, unscarred because it was unused…they will, in the end, lose what they tried to save.