Ever feel like life with Jesus should produce instant results? We swipe right for connection, click “buy now” for delivery, and expect our prayers answered by morning. But what if the Christian life isn’t meant to be instant pudding—quick and convenient—but rather the slow-cooked kind that requires patience, attention, and time?
Jesus knew His followers struggled with this tension. As He approached Jerusalem, the crowds buzzed with expectation. Surely the kingdom of God would appear any minute! Rome would fall, Israel would rise, and everything would be made right—instantly. But Jesus had a different timeline in mind.
The King Who Left (But Promised to Return)
In Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable about a nobleman who travels to a distant country to receive a kingdom, then returns. Before leaving, he entrusts his servants with resources—one mina each, about three months’ wages—and gives them a simple command: “Engage in business until I come.”
This wasn’t a suggestion for a coffee break. It was a call to active, purposeful work.
Jesus was describing Himself. He came, He departed, and He will return as King. But between His ascension and His second coming, we’re not meant to sit idle, waiting passively for heaven. We’re called to faithful stewardship—to actively use what He’s placed in our hands.
What Has Jesus Entrusted to You?
God has given every believer something valuable: time, influence, relationships, resources, spiritual gifts, and the gospel itself. The question isn’t whether you have enough. It’s what you’re doing with what you’ve been given.
When the nobleman returned in Jesus’ parable, he called his servants to account. Two had multiplied their minas—one turned his into ten, another into five. They weren’t praised for brilliance or strategy, but for faithfulness. “Well done, good servant!” the king declared. “Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”
But one servant buried his mina out of fear. He viewed the king as harsh and demanding, and that distorted view paralyzed him into inaction. His fear-based faith was still disobedience.
Real Life Requires Real Faithfulness
Here’s the truth: real life with Jesus isn’t about instant results or perfect conditions. It’s about faithful obedience, everyday surrender, and hopeful anticipation. James reminds us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). We’re called to do something that lasts.
This means serving even when you’re afraid. Trusting God’s character when outcomes are uncertain. Acting on faith, not perfection. Living as if Jesus is truly King—not just a story in a good book, but the Savior who rules over your heart, mind, and soul.
Your Next Step
What “mina” has Jesus entrusted to you? Maybe it’s a relationship that needs reconciliation, a talent you’ve been too afraid to use, or a calling you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, don’t bury it. Engage in business until the King returns.
We’re living between the Cross and the Crown—between Jesus’ departure and His return. There’s no middle ground. Will you submit to His reign? Will you trust Him with your life? Will you live as if He is truly King?
Call to Action: This week, identify one gift, resource, or opportunity God has placed in your hands. Take one concrete step to use it for His kingdom. Share your commitment with a trusted friend for accountability.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive us for burying what You’ve entrusted to us out of fear or complacency. Help us to be faithful stewards of every gift, every moment, and every opportunity. Give us courage to serve You actively as we wait for Your return. May our lives reflect Your kingship in all we do. In Your name, Amen.
