RL2: Think on this. . .

I was just reading Missy's post on Red Letters. She quotes from the book of Matthew saying, "

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will
sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before
him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on
his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'37"Then the righteous will
answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give
you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or
needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go
to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Did you notice the part in BOLD? I did. . for the first time. He didn't say, "Come, you who blessed my Father" but "come you who were blessed by my Father." Then he goes on to share what those people's lives were like. We so often think of feeding the poor and hungry as ministry (which it is). . .I'm just wondering if we need to redefine this. We think of it as work. Worthwhile work b/c it blesses the heart of God. . .but, work nonetheless. In fact, some may be hesitating to even read this book or think on these issues b/c of what it may cost them or what God may call them to (I know I find myself at times wanting to put it down). Maybe my definitions are wrong. The KING said, "you who are blessed BY my Father" and described a life of service. The life of service IS a blessing! That's what the KING says. Is that how I think of it? I need to dwell on this a bit. . . .what about you?