So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Deuteronomy 10.12 NRSV)
Neal Scarlett's pastor stood by his bed. Neal was a big redheaded man who took charge as soon as he walked into any room. But he was not in charge that day. He was in a hospital bed. He was facing bypass heart surgery. He knew his chances were somewhere between slim and none. His pastor asked him if he was ready to meet the Lord. Neil replied, "I am as ready as I can be. If I had my life to live over, I would not change a thing. I am a farmer. Every piece of land that has come into my possession, I have made it a better. When my wife and I started out, we had no land. We both worked and saved until we could buy forty acres and an old house. We immediately improved the house and the fences and upgraded the fertility of the land. Soon we found the opportunity to buy a place next to it.

God has been good to us. We have been able to buy and develop over a thousand acres. We now have the finest dairy farm in the state. We are proud of what we have done. No. I would not change one thing. All I ever wanted was a little more land. And I haven't wanted all the land in the world. I have always been content to buy just what touched mine." Then he began to laugh. His pastor asked, "Why are you laughing, Neil?"

Neil replied, "I guess God has used you to get to me today. God knows that there is some unfinished business. I do not own that farm. God does. God has been good to me to allow me to own and develop it, but I know now that my place is not as the owner, but as the trustee. God is the owner. Let's pray. I need to move over, and let God take His rightful place as the owner, and I need to take my place as His servant." Neil and his pastor had a wonderful time praying together. The surgery was successful on both Neil's physical heart and his spiritual heart. He had found his rightful place. He had discovered that sitting at the feet of Jesus truly is the best place to be.

Dear God, I am your servant. Remind me of that often. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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