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The Greater Thing
Moments of Story, Moments With God
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:14
Servant was in his quarters.
He looked forward to an evening of rest. Serving the King all day had been wonderful again. There was nothing better than working for Him. Poor as Servant was, he considered himself deeply blessed.
Just as he had taken off his shoes and sat down, the bell rang.
The King’s bell.
The King needed him.
Again? But he just got done serving.
A sigh escaped.
Never mind. His rest would have to wait.
The King came first.
He slipped back into his shoes. It didn’t matter. It was just one of those things that happened sometimes.
He knocked on the massive door leading up to the throne room. Not too loud, but just right, so it would not upset the King.
He listened.
Instead of hearing the King’s voice inviting him in, the door suddenly opened and Servant stood face to face with the Master himself, a smile on His face.
Servant wasn’t sure what to think. “D-did you call for me, O King? Or did I misunderstand?”
“You did not,” the King replied. “I did call you.” He opened the door wider and motioned for Servant to enter.
“Sit,” he said while pointing to an inviting looking kingly seat, right near the throne.
Servant hesitated. He’d never sat there before. He had not even showered yet. He cast the King an uncertain look, but the King just kept smiling and nodded that he should sit down. “Please. It’s a joy to have you here.”
A joy?
Servant did as he was told.
When he was seated, the King pulled up a wooden stool, placed it before Servant, and sat down. Servant wanted to object, but the King waved his objections away with a shake of his hands and said, “I want to discuss something with you.”
Servant frowned. For a moment a shadow of fear flew by, telling him the King was displeased, or something like that. The fear did not stick. The atmosphere was warm and gentle. No, this was something else.
“Speak, oh King,” Servant said.
The King nodded. “Have you been happy in My service, Servant?”
A sharp pang pierced his chest. So, the King was displeased after all. How could he convince Him he was truly happy in His service?
“Oh, Master. You know I love serving You. It’s been the joy of my life. My treasure. My all.”
The King nodded again. “I know,” He said. His eyes held an affectionate glance. “You think your greatest treasure is serving Me. Let Me show you something greater.”
Servant frowned.
Something greater? There was nothing greater.
“I’ve seen your work, Servant,” the King’s words broke through his worries. “I have seen your labors of love for the Kingdom. I’ve even seen your tears when things seemed hard and didn’t work out the way you’d expected.”
Servant listened, spellbound. A tear welled up in Servant’s eye. “It-it… was nothing,” he stammered.
The King nodded. “I know you think so. And yet, as I said, there’s one thing better than serving Me.”
“W-what do you mean, Oh, King? Did the King think he wanted riches or fame, gold or glory? No, no, no… a thousand times no.
Servant lifted his eyes and said: “Oh, King… I want nothing. Just let me remain with You. That is all I ask.”
The King nodded, tilted his head and said, “The one thing that is better than serving Me, is being with Me. You have chosen the greater thing and it shall not be taken away from you. From now on, where I am, you’ll be also.”
It was still.
Very still for just a moment.
Perhaps the only thing that could be heard was Servant’s heart bursting with love. His eyes began to shine and he said barely audibly, “If I have you, Oh, King, I have everything I need.”
***
Lord, will You help me treasure You above all things, so that my love for You may grow and I may hear Your voice more clearly each day? Amen.