Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant, and he got it. The paid was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work.
The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees
"Congratulations," the boss said. "Go on that way!"
Very motivated for the boss’ words, the woodcutter try harder the next day, but he only could bring 15 trees. The third day he try even harder, but he only could bring 10 trees.Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.
"I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
"When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked.
"Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees..."
There’s a lot that can be learned from our woodcutter friend.
He has a lot of passion for what he’s doing – he wants to do the job right, so that he can benefit from his labours. The pay and working conditions are great and suit him well, so he wants to maintain them. And so, he focuses only on the end result – the number of trees he can cut down in a day.
While he knows the mechanics of his job, he doesn’t really know what he’s doing. Anyone who has ever cut down any trees knows that the first thing you do is prepare your equipment – without a sharp axe, you’re going to be out of work, and strength, very quickly. And equipment needs to be checked and maintained on a regular basis to ensure it’s in good working order.
We also learn that this poor woodcutter could do his job better if there was someone else with him – someone who could offer a different perspective, like reminding him that his axe was getting dull. I imagine he would also feel safer out in the woods if there was someone else there: to joke around with, to be witness to the work, to be present in case of emergency, etc. We also know we tend to work better in community – someone else will help keep us from getting distracted, will remind us of when our focus is going astray, will in general make the time go faster.
The woodcutter also teaches us that sometimes we don’t know everything – and that it’s okay to ask for help when we realise that fact. Imagine how few trees he would have been cutting down by weeks’ end had he not mentioned his confusion to his boss on the third day!
We also learn, by extrapolation, that not everyone is meant for every job. This woodcutter, for example, is good at what he does, but he would fail at other more logistical occupations. The boss, however, may be in a different predicament. He supplied the axe, but didn’t see to its upkeep. That being said, he was able to ascertain the problem the woodcutter was facing right away – he’s a good problem solver. He also presents as patient enough, not firing the woodcutter for the smaller number of trees, but engaging with him in conversation, and allowing him (presumably) the chance to improve.
We can see these same characteristics, these lessons, in our gospel story today.
There is a great passion to do the right thing. John is quite emphatic when he is articulating to his followers as to exactly who Jesus is. He is clearly demonstrating his enthusiasm to them about what he now knows, that Jesus is the Anointed, the Messiah. And his enthusiasm obviously wears off! Andrew goes off to get his brother before they continue on with Jesus. They are realising that Jesus is the right thing, and with him right in front of them, inviting them to join him, their passion grows. How could they do anything BUT to follow him?
Getting ready for work is as important as doing the work itself – think of the dull axe. John’s time with his followers has prepared them to seek truth at all times. By admitting – repeatedly – that he had not fully known that Jesus was the Christ, he is getting his disciples ready to go in a different direction. He is letting them know that everything – everything! – has changed because of the fulfillment of the scriptures. It’s okay that John didn’t have all the answers at the time of the baptism, because he has now changed as the full implication of that event has changed his life and ministry. John’s light bulb has gone on, and is now going to illuminate the rest of his life.
The notion of companionship is equally important for us as we follow this story – we see that two of John’s disciples (his followers) leave him to go and follow Jesus. Andrew is so enthusiastic about this new course that he goes and fetches his brother to come with them! And all throughout his ministry, we see Jesus sending out his followers in pairs – so they will have someone with them to offer a different perspective, different suggestions. Someone with whom they can establish a camaraderie to ease the burden of their task. Someone to look after their safety, to keep focus on the ultimate goal, to prevent distractions. Any work is easier with a buddy.
The disciples also teach us about learning. They have seen from John that learning has to continue. They have been invited by Jesus to learn more about God and God’s will for His people. They have learned that leadership by example is the best way to do things – Jesus invites them to see where he is staying rather than tell them, he encourages them to be of a discerning heart and mind by asking them what it is that they are looking for. Obviously the time they spend with in conversation with Jesus is so illuminating that Andrew wants to include his brother so that Simon also may learn.
We also can see that not everyone is meant for every task. John encourages his followers to go with Jesus, but he himself does not follow. Why is this? Well, his task was to prepare the way for Jesus to come. He has accomplished this, and knows that it is not his task to continue that journey. He also realises that were he to go with Jesus, that the followers would then have 2 leaders to follow, and that would distract their attention away from Jesus. John realises that every task has an end, that every ministry is passed from one person to another. And so it is with joy and grace that he steps back. He is aware that he still has a valuable ministry to complete, but that it is in a different direction.
So what about us? How are you sharing your passion for Christ, the right thing, with the world around you? What are you doing to prepare yourself to enter into the mission zone, that beauteous creation right outside our doors that is so desperate to celebrate Christ? Who can walk with you on your journey, to keep you focused as much as for you to keep them focused? How are you striving to learn more about God’s will so that you can better do your job of sharing His love and grace? And what is your specific task, the job that you are uniquely called to in order to fulfill God’s will that no one else can do? These are our tasks. Our ministries. Our callings. If you can’t answer those questions now, maybe you need to spend some time in prayer thinking about them. Because if we don’t know what our job is, we cannot accomplish it. And God knows, it’s time for us to get to work.
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