A Biblical Bedtime Story

Once upon an eternity there ARE three wonderful Masters. The first wonderful Master has a great big voice that says, “Thou shalt not have any other god’s before me.” The second wonderful master has a medium sized voice that says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The third wonderful Master has a still small voice that speaks words of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory.

Gazing over their kingdom, the three Wonderful Masters observed a young Christian servant entering their house. They allowed him to do as he pleased because they gave everyone free choice to do either good or evil. Their house was filled with abundant riches that would help all those who entered to make their choice.

Entering the house, the young Christian servant found a prepared table set before him with three different places to eat. The first place held a plate heaped full of sizzling meat accompanied with a cup running over with fragrant liquid. Fearing that the meal might prove too much for him, the young servant looked to the other plate which was equally as full, holding fruit of the vine and a loaf of bread. Perceiving he could have everything on the table if he desired, he declined the second dish also; choosing rather to content himself with what was left, a lukewarm glass of milk.

Next the young Christian servant sought a place to rest. Finding three chairs he saw that on each chair was written the word “RESPONSIBILITY”. The young Christian servant sat down in the chair of “MUCH RESPONSIBILITY” that was also labeled “SACRIFICIAL LIVING”. Feeling that prayer, fasting and holy living was too much a load to bear; he decided the chair was much too hard. Gazing at the second chair that was also labeled “SOUL WINNING”, he decided not to even try that chair and chose instead a little chair in the corner that was labeled “RESPONSIBILITY TO ONESELF”. Pleased with this restful looking chair, the young Christian servant heaved a sigh of relief and sat down to rest. But unfortunately, like the heart of the three wonderful Masters, the little chair broke!

Picking himself off the floor, the young Christian servant decided to explore the house a little more. Opening a door, he found himself in a beautiful quiet room that appeared to be a perfect place for prayer, study and devotions. From the room’s only window, he could see the three wonderful Master’s fields that were white, ready for the harvest. Upon the room’s only table lay the most beautiful book any eye could behold. Opening the cover, the young Christian servant was seized with a hunger and thirst to study this book. But after a few minutes his eyes grew so heavy, that he chose instead to lie down on the only other piece of furniture in the room, a bed of slumber. The young Christian servant soon fell fast asleep.

Momentarily reviving from his sleep, the young servant thought about his Master’s returning home and finding him in such a state, but quickly dismissed the thought. He felt that it would be a very long time before they would return and that he would have plenty of time to make himself ready. Consoling himself with these thoughts, the young servant rolled over and fell into an even deeper sleep.

The three wonderful Masters decided to return and confront the young servant. Waking him they asked, “Did you not realize all the work that needed to be done? All the riches that are in our house are for your benefit and free to anyone that asks. You could have shared our plenteous gifts with others. All we asked for in return was your REASONABLE SERVICE. Instead, you chose to selfishly follow the path that didn’t require of you any labor and fell fast asleep. You are an unprofitable servant who will be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Moral: For many are called, but few are chosen. (Mt 22:14)

Anybody Sleepy yet?

(written by Tammy Washburn)