Don't sit on your 'talents' or hide your blessings ..... they are gifts to be used to grow the kingdom by reflecting Jesus.
This is similar to 'Don't hide your light under a bowl' or whatever the quote is.
I think that often, it's not hiding one's gift that is the problem ..... it's recognising that one has gifts in the first place!
If you are reasonably healthy, all limbs intact and can communicate .... you have gifts.
Having said that, an unhealthy, paraplegic who is unable to speak (!!) .... is still able to reflect Jesus in some way ..... the gift of life and therefore opportunity!
What gifts are you aware of?
How are you going to use them this week?
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
6 comments:
Ahhhh our gifts. This is a hard one to talk about. Some people have said that I am gifted in speaking in front of a group of people so I am going to give this another crack on Sunday morning and will be speaking on Luke 10 at Concordia.
I personally feel like the biggest gift I have is my time and so this week I want to share more of my time with my children, wife, friends and "neighbours" and less time with my computer.
One other quick comment. I found it interesting that following on from the story of the rich young ruler in chapter 18 we now have a guy called Zaccheus who voluntarily gives away half of his possessions to the poor....and Jesus says, "Today salvation has come to this house."
Couple of new things struck me here:
1) v7 - again and again we see judgementalism in all its forms exposed. I find it VERY hard not to judge people on appearance, and then - occupation & behaviour comes in close behind.. I need so much more of Gods love in me to be able to see Jesus in everyone; getting past my judgements is still a hurdle for me...
2) Big new learning for me in the servants (us) and gifts - and growing the Kingdom. I found some of the 3rd servants words hard to contextualise, and I sort of paraphrased them to make them relvant for me at least
"Lord, I have kept my knowledge of your saving love close to my chest because I am such a bad representative of this new life you gave me that - well I think it would be better if it came from someone else - I dont want people to judge you by me! and also - what if I did go out on a limb for you and YOU did not come to the party? Well - you would look a fool, and me too! So, look - I know your saving love for me - I have not lost that knowledge... "
Problem is V26 - wish it was not there - but it is. It is a strong warning - but of what?
"Even what I have will be taken away"
to me those words meant [on reading it today] - I can lose my salvation. WOW - I checked various commentaries that were vague on what exactly was taken away - or referred to the loss as spiritual gifts... but I checked the Matthew story (Matthew 25) and it appears that for the person who did nothing with the talents in that parable - the end was quite explicit
Matt 25 V 30 "Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Now I have spoken to a number of people in the past about losing salvation - what is and is not possible - and I have only found one teacher who taught YES and they did not use this text but Hebrews 3. Anyhow - I am in sober reflection today...
Hi Rosaleen,
I too was judgemental based on appearance until I started the work that I do.
I beleive the best 'cure' for this is to get out amongst it. In the 12 or so years that I have been working with the marginalised and disadvantaged, I would go so far as saying that some have been the 'wisest', warmest, most generous people I have EVER met.
To look at many of them, the average 'white middle class' person would cross the road to avoid them. I work daily with people who smell, have 'foul' mouths, are aggressive and angry at the world .... their compassion and generosity never ceases to amaze me. This has cured me of my 'judgementalism' and in some cases I prefer their company to some 'white middle class christians' I have come across. These people are REAL!
Re-reading this .... am I being 'judgemental' towards 'my own kind'?? Feedback welcome ;)
Rosaleen, I found your paraphrase of the third servant's words to be very helpful.
Second time lucky - seems to not load up sometimes for me.
Verses 41-44 struck me. Jesus wept for Jerusalem's future destruction, citing that it could have been different if they hadn't rejected him. There are choices and consequences and things could go several ways in this life. We have life of death, blessings or curses....make the choice today.
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