In Matthew 20 there are two examples of how God thinks differently than we do about work and compensation. The first is the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Jesus says the Kingdom works in such a way that someone that only works an hour can get paid the same as the one who worked all day. In our culture this is just unfair. No one would agree to those terms up front.

When the all day workers saw they were paid the same as the part time they complained. The master then says,

“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”

A little later on James and John’s mom asks for Jesus to save seats for her sons in heaven. Jesus responds by saying God the Father makes that decision. The other disciples complained when they heard the mother’s request. Jesus calls them over and explains,

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The world’s influence has tainted how we value position. The CEO is the most important and as the levels of management go down the level of importance follows. God does not value position in this manner. Each of us is given gifts and tasks according to God’s wisdom. We are then rewarded for our obedience.

The pastor of the megachurch and the praying granny do not have a level of priority assigned to them based on their gifting or responsibility. We do know that to whom much is given much is required. This does not effect the value of someone that is given little though. Little is a relative term in and of itself. It is little in earthly terms. The little we may have done with obedience can produce miraculous results. See the boy with five loaves and two fish.

The praying granny has made it possible for the megachurch pastor to do all he is tasked to do. Without her the pastor may have never gotten to his assignment.

It comes down to serving. It’s not how long or how much you serve. It is about how well you serve. God is the one that rewards how He sees fit. It is not our place to complain about the amount of service required or the reward that is given.

Well, it’s that time of year again … the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeeeeeear! The time when you get the Rowan Christmas Letter (We capitalize it out of respect.). I’ve heard many readers of the RCL have foregone the traditional reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve in favor of said letter. Bout time. I heard that old rag was based on scandalous lies anyway. Fun fact: the real name is “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” See, it’s all a big charade. Unbelievable.

Anyway, at the writing of this letter we’ve got approximately 20 days to live according to the Mayan calendar. So, let’s get moving. Like the kids say these days, YOLO, which is Canadian for “Hurry up and finish this letter before a giant asteroid obliterates the earth.” Or it means “Year-old liver and onions.” One of the two.

2012 has been good times for the Rowan household. This year marked 12 years married to the most wonderful creation the Good Lord ever put together. Jenny is the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas, and the monkey’s banana. (I made that last one up.) I couldn’t imagine doing life without her. She gets the girls ready for school every morning; takes care of the shorter ones all day; fixes breakfast, lunch and dinner; does the laundry; makes people awesome cakes; leads two small groups; combs my back hair; walks on water; heals the sick; cleanses the lepers; casts out demons; etc. I suggest saluting the next time you see her.

I go to work.

Elena Kay is wonderful young lady. Her foray into 2nd grade has been quite successful. Her reading skills are exemplary and has taken to reading a lot of Junie B books. Whatever that is. She also likes to read her Bible every night before going to sleep. Someone more cynical might say it’s a ploy to stay up later, but I’m all good with my 8 year old “gettin’ in the Word” every day. Train up a child, suckas!

Cassia started school this year. She’s not a big fan of the educational system. I kid. She’d rather be hanging out with Mommy, but who wouldn’t? She is doing a great job, as well. Also, if you need a good cuddle, Cassia knows what she is doing. She continues to provide the best one-liners in the family. This week after eating Jenny’s empanadas she said, “That was awesome! I burped loud like Dad!” Train up a child, suckas!

Josiah is a stud, obviously. He had his first year of soccer. He had fun. I yelled. Mostly, “KICK THE BALL!” He did score 3 goals – 2 in one game. He’s a great multi-tasker. Not only was he playing soccer, but at the same time he was admiring nature, being Spider-Man, wrestling his teammates and running in circles. Let’s see Lionel Messi do that. He also has a fan club at church mostly consisting of college-aged children’s workers who like to shout, “JOSIAAAAAAAAAAH!” whenever they see him.

Addie – what can you say? She is small, feisty and fully aware that she has all of us wrapped around her iddy, biddy, teeny, weeny, cutesy-wootsey woo finger. I like to call her Peepeeps, Neenutes, PreePreeps, Tinkletutes, etc. In Addie’s world, every chair is for climbing on, every drink is for drinking and every neck is for hugging. She almost has the dictionary memorized. That last part is a falsehood.

In reality, we have more than 20 days to live. We actually have eternity to live. Thanks to Jesus being born in a manger and eventually dying for our sins and rising again, we have the opportunity to live with Him forever. Not only that, He gave us abundant life right now. Despite what some doomsayers may think about the economy, politics, or anything else Jesus is still the KING of kings and LORD of lords. It’s all going according to plan. So, let’s have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Rowans love you.

Passion is an interesting word. It brings to mind things that we either spend to much time with or not enough. It’s impossible to be halfheartedly passionate. What are you passionate about? For some of us, our passion may be sports, work, hobbies, other people … there are no guidelines or restraints to what we might have as a passion. Is your passion worth dying for? What would you die for? I imagine family would be near the top of the list, along with friends. Some are willing to die for a cause that they deem important. Many have died for freedom. Others die for their life’s work. All can be considered honorable ways to die.

What else would you die for? Would you be willing to die for a cheater? How about a liar? Who wants to be the first to take the place of a serial killer in the electric chair? I know I’m not raising my hand. Who in their right mind would? If a man killed another person, he deserves to die rather than me.

Somehow in God’s infinite and incomprehensible love, He looked at man in all our grievous ways and said, “You are worth dying for.” God’s passion is us. Jesus showed us the kind of love that no man can truthfully understand. Completely innocent, He did not voice one word of defense for Himself as He was tortured and killed for every guilty person ever born. The only thing that may be harder to understand than this love, is why someone would reject it. His love is for everyone and knows no bounds.

We can be passionate about many things today. We want to have passion for something, anything. It is how we are made. But our passions will always leave us feeling empty without first accepting the passion of Jesus … His love for us.

Jesus did not “somewhat” die on the cross for us, therefore we cannot “somewhat” live for Him today. He literally gave everything. Passion implies holding nothing back. What is holding you back? Fear? Pride? Tradition? What ever it is I can tell you its not worth it.

Now is the time to make a choice. What is your passion? What would you die for? Who will you live for?