talents vs tools
So the other week I went biking with Seth and Alyssa. It was a great evening after church on a Saturday. We got to the secluded little pull-off and got our bikes down. We pumped our tires, put on our helmets and then I realized that I didn’t have my biking shoes (they are special shoes that clip me into my very small peddles).
After looking at my options for footwear I decided that I was going to have to plow through the ride in my Crocs. The moon shoes seemed like a better alternative than my flip-flops. And so off we went, me leading the way.
The ride went fine and it was a really neat to find an abandon house that had all kinds of animals living within the stone walls. As I was riding I thought about how my shoes really didn’t give me any special ability they just help me on the way. I have since been thinking about other places in my life where I think I need this or that exact thing so that i can accomplish this or that. The reality of the matter is that I can get by with less than perfect tools if I focus on developing my talents.
Where do you think you could work harder and develop your talents rather than looking for the quick fix, next big thing to take a shortcut in life?
Remember the parable of the servants and the talents, read this passage and pray that you may use your talents the best way you know how:
14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. 16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money for safekeeping.
19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, `Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 21 The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
22 “Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, `Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ 23 The master said, `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
24 “Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, `Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.’
26 “But the master replied, `You wicked and lazy servant! You think I’m a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn’t plant and gathering crops I didn’t cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matt 25:14-30 (NLT)