Talents

One of the bible stories we studied with the children this month was the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. It’s a parable that is familiar to many Christians, but I love how God’s word speaks new life over us despite how well we know a passage, how long we’ve been believers or whatever life seasons we find ourselves in.

It’s clear in the passage that all of the servants in the parable were given talents, each according to his ability (verse 15). The truth here for us is that we have all been entrusted with talents and abilities no matter how adequate or equipped we may feel. Secondly, I was really struck by the attitude of the third servant who was entrusted the one talent. In verse 25, the servant reveals, “I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.” His fear prevented him from living up to the potential his master saw in him. Fear kept him in a state of idleness and apathy.

I think fear and apathy can often hinder us from living up to how God has called us and empowered us to with what He has given us. For me personally, I am often overwhelmed with what my role is as an International Worker in cross-cultural ministry. I’ve been encouraged and reminded to take inventory of all the Lord has done in my life; the experiences I’ve had, my passions and interests, my spiritual gifts and the resources I have in front of me. It’s my desire to use the talents God has entrusted me in this precise season in Ghana God has placed me in today and every single day, knowing that all of these things belong to the Master anyway and that they’re not my own.