What Are You Doing With Your Talents?

We all have big hopes and dreams. But ask yourself, "Am I being faithful in the little things...the everyday gifts, tasks and challenges that the Lord has put in front of me?"

Our daily activities have a way of overwhelming us to the point that we don't give each task our all. Each experience, hardship and blessing is for a purpose. The Lord hands out special talents, gifts and difficulties, yes difficulties too. Without them, we wouldn't experience growth, gratitude, faith and trust. Which brings me to the story told by Jesus, "The Parable of the Talents," in Matthew 25:14-30.

A man going on a journey entrusted property to three servants, One received five talents, (a talent was worth more than $1,000.00.) The second man was given two talents and the third servant, given one talent. The servant who received five talents went and immediately put it to work and gained five more. The second servant made an additional two talents, but the third servant went off, dug a hole and buried his. When the master returned, the first two men each said, "Master you have entrusted me and I have gained more." He replied, "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness.

The man who buried his one talent said, "Master, I knew you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not gathered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you." His Master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not gathered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talents from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Did you catch that the servant with one talent was "afraid", so he did nothing?

I'm often guilty of being afraid, I think we all are at some time or another, but I can't hide in my fear. I don't want to be known as a "worthless servant." I don't want to shrink back in my fear. I want to step up and be bold through Christ who strengthens me.

Don't hide and bury your talents. The Lord has entrusted you with them for a purpose. Along with that desire, He has filled you with a gift to help fulfill His Will for you, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ paved the way, endured unthinkable pain and yet, He never shrunk back, He turned to His Father in difficult & scary times, just as we must, then one day we will hear, "Well done good & faithful servant!"