(The Parable of the Little Red Hen)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10
Once upon a time . . . a Philosopher, a Bible Scholar, a Theologian, and Humble Pastor Glen, all dwelt together, in the same peaceful church.
The Philosopher liked to sit all day in his fine overstuffed chair and think on what could be, what is, and what might have been, except when his “thinker” became so overwhelmed that he fell soundly to sleep.
The Bible Scholar liked to read and study all day long, for knowledge was the key to his happiness. He studied on this scripture, he studied on that scripture, and he studied about what others thought about this scripture and that. Mostly he delighted on how very much he knew – or thought he knew, anyway.
The Theologian knew all of the religions, great and small. He knew all they agreed on, and all they didn’t. He would pace his library floor and ponder all the concepts and dogmas and how they related to mankind. And though he could tell you what each sector believed – he wasn’t altogether sure which one was correct; so he pondered some more upon that.
If there was work to be done, Humble Pastor Glen did it, all by himself. He vacuumed the sanctuary floors, and dusted all the pews. He fixed the youth bus, and repaired old leaky faucets. He brightened the church with fresh coats of paint. He even mowed and trimmed the small patch of grass the children loved to play on.
One day, as he was busy at work, Humble Pastor Glen saw a family pass with burdens great and heavy. As he wondered how he could make a difference, a Rhema Word quickened his spirit. Then he ran to find his friends.
“Who will take the fruit of Jesus into the community with me,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he considered the dangers of walking the street and the possible rejection. Besides, he was very tired (and just thinking about it made him fall soundly to sleep).
“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he had not completely studied the scriptures on “the fruit being taken into the community” yet. He decided he would pick up a book on that subject and see what others had to say about it.
“Not I,” said the Theologian – for he had much too important issues to think about. He thought he might study the major religions and do a survey on what each of them felt about the concept of “fruit in the community.” “Hmmm, that would be interesting.”
“Then I will reach out myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!
When the people received Jesus, Humble Pastor Glen became very excited. “Who will help me care for these new sheep,” he asked.
“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he was still trying to figure out what horrible past had put these “sheep” in such turmoil to begin with. He was sure he really didn’t want to know, and he didn’t want to take a chance that they really weren’t changed at all.
“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was still researching the benefits of “reaching out” had not come to an absolute conclusion that there was an unrefuted scripture to support it. Only after coming to the absolute conclusion that “reaching out” was scripturally correct in the mind of every Bible Scholar could he even contemplate studying the scriptural basis of “caring for the sheep.”
“Not I,” said the Theologian – for he was still on the survey and the percentages were not looking good for the “reaching out” issue. “Perhaps,” he thought, “I should begin a new survey which incorporates the ‘caring for the sheep’ concept. Hmmm, that would be interesting.”
“Then I will care for them myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!
All summer long, Humble Pastor Glen went into the streets and spoke to the hurting and helpless. He brought them food, taught them about Jesus and showed them someone cared. After weeks and months, one by one, they gave their heart to the Lord. Soon it was time to bring them to his peaceful church. “Who will drive the bus to pick up the people who want to know more about Jesus,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?
“Not I,” said the Philosopher. “The nerve,” he thought, “to ask such an important person as me to drive a bus!”
“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – but he made a note to be sure and study the scriptures on “bus driving.”
“Not I,” said the Theologian, and off he went to mail a new survey. “Hmmm, that would be very interesting.”
“Then I will drive the bus myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!
When the bus route was set and the schedules posted, Humble Pastor Glen set up the programs to tend to the peoples’ spiritual needs. “The people need to be greeted, made to feel welcome, shown around the building and given a bulletin. Who will usher them into God’s chambers,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?
“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he was still sure they were going to return to their old heathen ways and he didn’t want to be around when they did.
“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was just finishing his study on “reaching out,” and although it appeared that it was going to be scripturally sound, he still had the “caring for the sheep” issue and the “driving the bus” issue to resolve. He promised to put
“ushering in” on his list of studies.
“Not I,” said the Theologian – for the survey of the major denominations on “reaching out” was looking quite against the issue, “taking care” was only half complete, but not looking good, and “bus driving” was still in the mail. But, “ushering in,” “Hmmm, that would be interesting.”
“Then I will usher them in myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!
Humble Pastor Glen welcomed every person with a handshake and a smile, passed out the fliers and guided a few tours to the men’s and women’s “Facilities.” He even kissed a few babies and piggy-backed a toddler or two. He introduced the previous members to the new attendees and started them talking about interests in common. Everyone felt very welcome.
After everyone was seated, and quite content, Humble Pastor Glen preached the most humble and satisfying message about “reaching out” and “saving the lost,” everybody thought so, even the Philosopher, the Bible Scholar, and the Theologian. All in all, the service was very successful.
The next day Humble Pastor Glen pondered ways to teach his congregation about Jesus and the Biblical ways. Evening Bible Studies and Cell Group Mentoring would greatly add to his humble Sunday services. Humble Pastor Glen called out to his friends, “Who will help me teach the Bible and Mentor the congregation?”
“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for that was too below his standing, and besides, wasn’t it enough that he was giving up Sunday morning for church. Thinking was hard work, let someone else do it. Besides, he was tired (and just thinking about it made him fall soundly to sleep).
“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was much too busy studying to even consider stopping to teach. And this “Mentoring” business, he was just sure he had never seen the word “Mentor” in the King James Version of the Bible. Let someone else do it.
“Not I,” said the Theologian – for every survey he’d completed so far was either against this whole program or had been invalidated because there wasn’t anyone else out there who had even considered such a thing, let alone tried it. He surely wasn’t going to get mixed up in something that might fail.
“Then I will teach and mentor them myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!
The church grew and flourished. Many were healed, many delivered. Families were restored and people waxed strong in God’s Word. Those that were the fruit of Humble Pastor Glen’s seed were raised up to lead, and they did so with a grateful heart, for they remembered from whence they came.
Music filled the sanctuary all week long. People danced, people laughed, people sang, people cried, and people drew together in a new and wonderful family. It was a sweet, sweet fragrance in the nostrils of God. That fragrance traveled outside of the church, into the city streets, into the homes of the people, and into their workplaces. It was so clear that God had blessed the church and the congregation of Humble Pastor Glen.
When other church leaders would see the miracles there, they would venture the question of how such a miracle could be. “Who was responsible for this fruit enriched land,” they would ask.
Humble Pastor Glen would always reply, “Not I.” For he knew it was a special gift, sent for the fruit of his labor, direct from the throne room of God.
Written by Linda J. Humes
10-20-1994
Linda J. Humes 