A Talent or Two

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants 
and entrusted to them his property.  To one he gave five talents, 
to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.  
Then he went away.  He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, 
and he made five talents more.  So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.  
But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.  
(Matthew 25:14-18) 

This past week I looked at the people I love and saw them singing, dancing, acting, sewing, painting, drawing, sculpting, playing instruments, cooking, baking, playing sports, being patient, loving, gentle, organized, motivated and moving forward in their callings.  I then looked at myself through insecurity's distorted glasses, and thought I saw nothing.

What gifts do I have?  

What could I possibly contribute to anything?  

Everyone else is going places, 

and then there's me...

Oh, what a very human view of things!

I spent one morning this week praying and studying the parable of the talents, and something that struck me was that the talents did not belong to the servants.  The master divided His money among His servants as He saw fit, and expected them to multiply it.  And yes, the parable is speaking about talents meaning money, but I believe its lessons apply to gifts and skills as well.

What if we were to view our talents and gifts in the same way?  What if, rather than trying to improve my writing skills in order to be successful, gain approval or feel important in some way, I were to use the writing skills the Lord has blessed me with to further His kingdom, and give Him glory?  Or, what if, rather than wishing I'd been given five talents, rather than one, I acknowledged that, as James 1:17 says,

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights 

with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

What if I viewed my life as a time to serve the Lord, instead of working to bring praise to myself?  What if I stopped trying to compete with those who have been gifted in different ways than I have been?

"For by the grace given to me

 I say to everyone among you not to think of himself 

more highly than he ought to think, 

but to think with sober judgment, 

each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  

For as in one body we have many members, 

and the members do not all have the same function,  

so we, though many, are one body in Christ, 

and individually members one of another.  

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, 

let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  

if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  

the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; 

the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

(Romans 12:3-8 emphasis added)

Having differing gifts is not a negative thing here.  It doesn't matter in which ways we are gifted, "Let us use them," to the glory of God.

I may not be an artist.  I may not be a fantastic cook.  I may not be the most organized person.  I may not be able to sing particularly well. That's fine.  The Lord doesn't ask me to be or do any of those things.  He simply asks me to obey His word, look to Him, and use what gifts He has given me, no matter how few or small, to bring Him glory and honor.

So many lessons lately.  Thank you, Father.

Over and out,

~Emily

P.S. I pulled a muscle in my leg the other day while working out... Prayers would be lovely.  Blessings to you all!