What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard. And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went. Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you. Matthew 21:28–31

A father asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. One said no, but later changed his mind and went to work; the other said yes, but never did go into the vineyard.

This story has several lessons, but one of them is about decision. The Father asked both sons to do the same thing. One said no but did it and the other one says yes but did not fulfill what he promised.   

When we get excited and tell everyone about the great call of God on their lives. But troubles come along, finances hang us up, and health problems drag us down—in short, we find many ways to avoid our responsibility to respond to God’s call. Some of us are like the son who initially refused: We resist at first, because we feel unworthy, uneducated, or unequal to the task. But eventually we surrender and do exactly what God wants. It is a determination we have to make and understand that it is not us, it is God. When God’s call us to do something, it is His call and He will do it not us. It is a new level of obedience. It is doing what God’s tell you to do, period.

What you think about determines the quality and direction of your life? “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:37). The scripture encourages us to think on good things. Things that are true, noble, and lovely. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that we are to produce the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just as a tree is identified by the type of fruit it produces, you are identified by the type of fruit you are producing. “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart; an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.” (Matthew 12:35).

“Which of the two sons did the will of the father?” Are we counting the cost, or perhaps he wanted to be sure that we could be faithful.

Let’s look at the son who quickly said yes but failed to do what his father asked. Could it be that at fist, we are enthusiastic and positive. But then things don’t happen as we expect immediately, so they encounter delays. We wait. But, after a while, we become impatient and we are not enthusiastic any more. Is that the proper attitude! Are we reflecting determination with that attitude! 

In the revelation that God established between Himself and us, we can find a new life and a new dimension of living, but we must “tune in.” There are higher levels of living to which we have never attained. There is peace, satisfaction, and joy that we have never experienced. God is trying to break through to us.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not always being responsive to You and to Your ability. Help me to focus not on circumstances but on Your love and abundant resources. Thank You for Your perfect love which casts out all fear. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch (Psalm 5:3). Worthy is the Lam. Thank you Father for ordering your angel to protect us wherever we go.