Hope for "Late Bloomers"

Matthew 20
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.
4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

How many times I have read this scripture and heard sermons preached on this theme without a true appreciation of its personal meaning to me.

I thank You, God, for another opportunity to study your word. I thank you for leadership and direction that teaches me to look beyond an isolated verse for better understanding. I thank You for the desire to grow in my faith. I have so much for which to say “Thank You, Lord.”

One look at this scripture could be that God now opens arms to the Gentiles (those coming in late in the day) as well as the Jew (those who started early in the morning). This is a blessing to me, a Gentile. But there is a closer meaning for everyone who is still outside of the fold.

King James Version: John Chapter 9
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

How awesome it is for those of us who were “late” coming into the kingdom to know that our God receives us with open arms. How encouraging it is for those of us who are committed to the Great Commission to know that there is value in our work to bring others into the fold, no matter their age or circumstances, for as long as they breathe it is day.

“ Today this message applies to the Church. Sometimes the Church can be so closed off from the world. The message for those of us who know Jesus already is that we should long for all people to partake in the same reward that we ourselves receive when we follow after Jesus.” http://metrobibleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/17

Lord, I ask for strength and understanding to do whatever it is that You will for me. I thank You for all You are in my life. I hope that someone finds encouragement in these words.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!