Walking the walk?

"Which of the two did the will of his father?  They said "The first.""  (Matthew 21:31a)

A long time ago in a state far away...... we were in college (and actually "college age!) and just figuring out our own relationship(s) with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Yes, we had been in church every Sunday, yes we knew God loved us, yes we knew about Easter and the empty tomb -- we just had not applied it to ourselves personally.  Once we did, as we got active in Bible studies and worked on our own personal relationship with God we often asked if a person was "walking the walk" OR "just" talking the talk?

As Caregivers we are doing what has been asked of us - by the parent, sibling or doctor - for our care receivers.  So we can agree, even if our first response was "no," that we are doing the job.  Are we, though, doing the "will of the Father"?  Jesus is telling this parable about a father asking each son to "go and work today in the vineyard."  The first son, the one 'chosen' here, says "no" but actually goes and does the work.  The second son says "yes" but doesn't go.  So, yes, we agree the first son - like us as Caregivers, is doing the 'job.'

Jesus also point out "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (9:37) reminding us of the need to be strengthening our relationship, and our receiver's relationship, with God.  We need to be "walking the walk" NOT just "talking the talk."  It is an interesting thought...... To really agree with the answer "the first" do we need to strengthen our relationship with God?  Do we need to REALLY be "walking the walk"?