"But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money."
~ Matthew 25:18
I've been thinking, as I often do.
But, this time, what I've been wondering is this...
Do you have any dreams you've never pursued?
Maybe it's a dream you started to follow, something fundamental to who you are, that was set aside, for whatever reason. Maybe life just happened and other things took priority.
What about gifts and talents?
I know it's not the actual word in the original text, but I've always felt that the word talent in the above verse wasn't an accident. Yes, I understand that it was to indicate a financial resource, it's currency. But, in the English language, it still came out "talent," and I am of the opinion that's no accident.
So?
Are there talents you've hidden under a rock?
There certainly are in my world. And, I've been thinking about them a lot lately.
I received communication from the family of a man I used to see who passed not long ago. They wanted to thank me for the role I played in his life, and in particular to acknowledge a series of photographs I took of him. It was one of those precious moments where you're able to capture just a bit of the essence of the very being of a human in film. I've actually been fortunate to have that experience more than once in life, even with very little actual knowhow behind the lens, or at least very little technical understanding of what I was doing. But, I sure loved doing it.
We won't even talk about the singing thing. At least not for now.
Do you suppose those things that quicken my breath were accidents?
When our Heavenly Father knit you together in your mother's womb, if you LOVE to knit, (but just don't make time for it,) do you think that was an accident? Perhaps the Creator of the heavens and the earth just threw that into you for no reason? Maybe you're not meant to make a career of knitting, or whatever it is you love, but I'm absolutely certain He had a purpose for it.
I was watching a video about what they've recently discovered whales do for the health of the oceans. It turns out that combined, with the power and strength of those tails, they turn over the depths and surface water of the oceans as much as the waves crashing on the shores. There was oodles of science-y stuff I don't have the space or capacity to fully explain, but the point is the extraordinary design. For ages people thought it would be no biggie. Humans hunt whales and if the whales aren't eating fish, there will be more fish for humans, right? Nope. Turns out, those whale tales are critical to the health of the ocean and growing numbers of fish. No accident that feature.
Neither are your unique characteristics.
What if David had thought there was no real reason to get good with that slingshot? (Of course, there was, but you get my point.)
Gifts? Talents? Dreams?
He has purpose in them all.
Granted, some may be for a season and others for a lifetime. Pray about it. The Holy Spirit knows far better than I do. But, I'd like to challenge you to seek and listen. Perhaps there's something with depths yet to plumb. Perhaps there's some talent you've hidden under a bushel temporarily that He has purpose for yet.
You are beloved. Both in an eternal sense and in earthly reality.
And, I'm grateful for you.
May you be blessed in the journey and in your giftings as you use them to make a difference, whether in the world at large or your own corner of it.
Abba,
Thank You for showing us what we may have set aside, hidden, neglected, or buried for which You still have purpose. Thank You for helping us to dust off those talents and dreams, that we might strengthen them for Your purposes in the world.
We love You. We are Yours.
In the name Yeshua we pray.
Amen.
"For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well." ~ Psalm 139:13-14
"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth." ~ Exodus 9:16
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 1:3-6
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
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