Mr. and Mrs. Impressive

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

We find Mr. and Mrs. Impressive sitting at home, enjoying their Sunday afternoon when the phone rings.

 

“Honey can you get that.” Shouts Mr. Impressive.

 

“Sure dear.” Replies Mrs. Impressive.

 

“Hello, Impressive residence.

 

Yes, you have the correct address. That’s us.

 

Really?

 

We’ll be honored.

 

When should we expect you?

 

Within the hour!

 

I’ll tell my husband and we’ll be anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

 

“So who was it dear?” Asked Mr. Impressive.

 

“You’ll never believe it. Michael the Archangel is coming to visit.”

 

“That’s great. I’ll have to clean up my study room. I would love to show him my collection of Bible commentaries.”

 

“I know what you mean. I think I’ll get out my picture album of the women’s ministry functions I’ve organized this year and lay it out on the coffee table.”

 

The doorbell rings. Michael the Archangel has arrived.

 

Mrs. Impressive answers the door.

 

“Welcome. Come on in; watch your wings with the door. What should I call you, Mr. Archangel or Michael?”

 

The seven-foot tall angel stoops down, folds back his wings and enters the Impressive house.

 

“Call me Mike for short. In heaven we’re pretty casual.”

 

“Come in and have a seat in the living room. Can I get you anything, tea, coffee, milk?”

 

Mrs. Impressive’s eyes glance over at her women’s ministry picture album that lies on the coffee table. She hopes the angel will notice it.

 

“A nice glass of water would be fine.”

 

Mr. Impressive enters the room and shakes the angel’s hand.

 

“Hello. What can we do for your?”

 

“Well I’ve come to discuss some concerns the Father, Son and Spirit have.”

 

“Yes, there are many things down here on earth which would draw our Lord’s attention. Is there anyway we can help. I have a lot of knowledge of scripture and the Mrs. is a dynamo at involvement with church ministry. We make quite a team. I’m sure we can help resolve these concerns.”

 

The angel’s expression takes on a more serious appearance.

 

“Well, that’s exactly the reason I am here. There are some concerns about how you are living your spiritual lives.”

 

“Well there must be something wrong.” Replies Mr. Impressive. “I make a habit of studying the Bible every single day. I should show you my collection of Bible commentaries and you wouldn’t believe the great new Bible Study program I got for my computer, it’s amazing.”

 

“I don’t understand either.” Mrs. Impressive breaks in. “I spend countless hours serving in all sorts of church ministries, the outreach to unwed mothers, homeless person haven, the food for friends ministry. I could go on and on.”

 

“Yes.” Answers Michael. “Everyone in heaven is aware of all your activities Mrs. Impressive, as well as all your knowledge Mr. Impressive. God’s concern is that neither of you is living a balanced Christian life. Mr. Impressive spends countless hours studying scripture but he fails to use his knowledge to minister to anyone.”

 

“I don’t have time to minister with all my Bible studies.” Answers Mr. Impressive. “What kind of Christian would I be if I didn’t know the scripture like it should be known? I attend every church service and 3 Bible studies each week. I don’t have time to be involved in people’s lives. Christian service is my wife’s job. My responsibility is to know all the answers.”

 

“Yes.” Says Mrs. Impressive. “He does all the Bible study and I do all the ministry outreach in our family. If I ever need to know the answer to something I just ask him.”

 

Michael the Archangel hangs his head slightly and looks at the carpet.

 

“I understand how you have divided the spiritual responsibilities in your family, but the consensus from heaven is that you are missing the point of who you were called to be. It is true that Bible study is crucial to spiritual growth, but Mr. Impressive, last week your neighbor came over and wanted to talk about the problems he is having in his marriage. He needed help desperately and was searching for answers. He was seeking not only for answers to his marital problems, but his soul was crying out for inner peace. Because you told him that you didn’t have time to speak with him, you missed an opportunity to bring someone into the Kingdom.”

 

“But if I don’t study scripture how can I ever hope to help people.”

 

“Balance Mr. Impressive, balance in life is what is needed.” Replies the Angel

 

“Mrs. Impressive, all of heaven greatly appreciates the time you spend ministering to those in need in your area, but because you fail to study God’s word for yourself you are not advising people appropriately of God’s truth. Last week the content of the advice you gave Mary had nothing to do with scriptural wisdom.”

 

“But I can’t get hold of my husband every waking moment. I am out there on the front lines serving others and I can’t always just pick up the phone and call my husband for the answer.”

 

“Exactly.” Replies Michael. “If you spent time in God’s Word on your own, then the answer would be within you. The Holy Spirit could direct you through scripture in what to say and do. Balance is the key Mrs. Impressive.”

 

“You keep mentioning balance. What would you have us do?”

 

“The word from above is that you need to balance the activities of your life. Each of you should study God’s word and take it to heart. Meditate on what you have learned and seek the Spirit’s guidance. Each of you should seek to be involved in the lives of people God brings your way. This way, with knowledge in your hearts and minds and a willingness to serve others you can minister in truth and love.”

 

“I guess we haven’t been impressing anyone except ourselves.” Replies Mr. Impressive.

 

“Unfortunately I believe you are right. But the Father, Son and Spirit know you wish to live a holy life. Follow their instruction and you will bring glory and honor to our King and Lord.”

 

“We will with the Spirit’s help and God’s grace.”

 

2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

 

James 2:14-17

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”