Good morning
What are the gifts you possess? Are they being wisely invested? Today’s Holy Nougat offers an opportunity for deeper introspection.
““The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.” Matthew 25:16, 18 NLT
Some days I am very conflicted about the larger narrative as it seems that the last servant got a raw deal to begin with. And in giving him one talent, the master clearly seemed biased. And perhaps there was. But the servants’ responses suggest that the master knew them well.
The more critical question is, which servant reflects us? For, with all the disabilities in the world, there is something that we can contribute based on our gifts and skills. I have seen songs with the most expressive images penned by the blind (this is my story/blessed assurance was written by a blind woman – she has written more hymns than anyone in her time and they are still current). Yet many of us gifted with sight are not nearly as poetic or lyrical or motivated.
Obviously it’s not only about our physical dis/abilities. If, as some friends are often repeating, God places us where we need to be, whether our gifts seem suited for the task or not is immaterial. For we are called to beautify the spaces where we are placed. We are a gift! And someone might be needing the gift of me/you right now. Our investment might be essential for the mobilization of another.
Perhaps it’s time to ask the Lord for wisdom in investing our talents. For, it could also be that we are unaware of some talents, or worse – that we inadvertently invest our talents in the wrong way/places. It’s important that we know what our gifts are for each occasion – it’s not necessarily the same gift for each situation.
Here is a question – do we know what gifts and skills are needed for our current season? Maybe it’s time for a one-on-One with the Giver of ALL gifts to ensure that we know what we have and how to invest it wisely. Nothing is wrong with being unaware; provided we are willing to seek direction. God’s direction. Sometimes the frustration we experience is a sign that it’s time to check in with the Giver. It could be we are investing unwisely for the season we are in.
I realize my focus has been on wise investment, as I prefer to assume that none of us willfully buried our talents. But if you are, if we are; I pray that we awake quickly for the world might just be dying for us to use our gift. I pray that God helps us move to using our talents wherever and whenever we are called.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
