The Tray

I sat, waiting with an expectant heart, wondering what kind of tray Jesus would present to me.

He came quietly into my space and stretched out his arms. In his hands was a marble tray.

He set it on a little table in front of me.

I tried hard to hide my disappointment. I thought my tray would be a handcrafted wooden one. Why marble, I thought?

As I looked down at the white marble, I noticed streaks of gold running through it.

The marble was cold to the touch. I chuckled, thinking Jesus knows I appreciate the cold!

I looked up to see that Jesus had walked out of the room.

I started to look closely at the tray. The handles were beautifully crafted from the same marble as the tray.

 I attempted to lift the tray, but it felt extremely heavy. I said out loud, ‘What use is a tray if it's too heavy to serve from?’

Jesus appeared by my side as soon as I had spoken. He spoke in a gentle voice. ‘This tray is a gift from me. It is not to be used for serving others. I had to make it heavy as I knew you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself using it to serve others.’

I smiled. Jesus knew me inside out.

He continued to speak,’ Before you serve others, you must come to me and receive what you need from me.’ ‘You can’t give from an empty tray’

‘I know you know this as a truth; you need to be reminded of this.’

I humbly nodded.

Jesus then slowly began placing things on the empty tray. His first gift to me was an inkwell with a quill.

I looked at it and pondered again what the gift's purpose was.

I often forget to ask Jesus questions. I know he can read my thoughts, but I also know that he loves it when I actually converse with him.

He said ‘The ink is an eternal ink, whatever I give you to write will last for eternity. This ink will never run dry.’

‘This ink and the words you write will be used to extend my kingdom.’

Thankfully, Jesus let his words sink in, and he didn’t place anything else on the tray for the rest of that day.

A few days went by, and I went back to the tray.

Jesus was happy that I was expecting another gift from him.

He placed a papyrus scroll in front of me; the roller came from the same marble.

I tentatively unrolled the scroll. Words of scripture were written on the top half ot the paper.

The rest of the paper remained blank. I read the words

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

  The verse beneath it was another life verse that I had committed to memory.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jesus waited till I had read the words, and as I started to roll the scroll back up. He said

‘These verses are for you and your family, speak them out loud’

‘I will give you more scriptures when I need you to declare them over your life and loved ones’

Maybe a week had passed, and on this particular day, I had listened to several people. They had bared their souls to me, and I was a little weary. I didn’t feel burdened, as I had purposefully given all that they had shared with me to God. Asking him to help them.

The tray popped into my mind, so I sat and wondered what Jesus would put on the tray.

A gold carriage clock appeared on the white-and-gold marble tray.

I smiled to myself and smugly thought,

 Well, I know why Jesus put that on the tray today.

It's because I had given my time to people, and time is a gift.

Jesus interrupted me and quietly said ‘Yes, time is a gift. I need you to be in time with me. I know people come to you because they need what you carry, but please do not run ahead of me or drag your feet. Keep in step with me. My timing is always perfect. I am never late’

I know Jesus has more to put on my tray. I need to keep remembering to come and receive from him.