The Steward's heart is of great interest to the Master who tends it as warm fire of coals. My heart's intention is to be a good steward attending to the will and voice of the Master.
Does it bother anyone that I use the word, Master? It evokes many responses I am sure because it
raises the implication that a steward is somehow a puppet in the hands of a puppet master. It has a
master-slave connotation that is uncomfortable. It imagines a cold and unfeeling relationship of
obedience and law with a lack of loving interaction. There is an unfortunate relationship with the
word because it is not used in our culture except in a negative way.
I find the word comforting and helpful because I know my Master is also, Father, brother, friend, Savior, Comforter, Wisdom, All Loving Presence, Light and Love. We use the word, Lord, as an alternative nomenclature even though it is not a western cultural word: yet, it has a deep association with our relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps if we were more accustomed to the word, Steward, the word Master would also become more precious because a Steward is attached, aligned with and in relationship to the one served. 'Master'
helps me remember whom I serve and that He is the one in control whose Word is my desire to obey. Independence has long given way to dependence on Him as I have lived enough years now to recognize just how little power one has. "You can do nothing without me." The Lord states.
That is a hard word to swallow because I specialize in "making things happen" and love the words, success and influence. Yet, the only lasting work of a human being of any life changing significance would of necessity be attributed to the Eternal One who alone draws forth eternal value from our actions. I could build a new Blessing House out of my own energy and will - but for what eternal value? "Unless the Lord (Master) builds the house, one builds in vain" says the Proverb.
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