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Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Talents in 10


I am starting out this year with a Bible study by Jennifer Kennedy Dean called Secrets Jesus Shared. It is a study of the parables Jesus told and I am totally loving it!

Today I read about the parable of the talents and was struck anew by this familiar story. I wanted to share what I learned as it is totally appropriate in this first full week of the new year. The point with the talents was not to waste them or hide them. To take the risk of investment instead.

I journaled about what talents-- spiritual gifts, natural talents, faith, opportunities, time, relationships-- God might be calling me to take risks with. He doesn't want me to sit on any of these things.

My life in the past 6 years has been about learning to take risks for Him, to say yes to the things He asks me to do, not worrying about the consequences or fretting about how I might appear to others. I am still learning what that looks like, training my ears to hear a voice that is usually but a whisper amidst the other, urgent noises in my life. I am seeing that when I go out and invest, He shows up and celebrates with me. Two of the servants knew this about their master but one perceived that his master was harsh and unforgiving, waiting for him to mess up... so he decided to play it safe. God is not waiting for me to fail, He is waiting for me to try. When I step out, as my pastor says, He steps in.

One thing that really stuck out to me was the master's response to the two servants who doubled their talents. He said, "Well done good and faithful servant." That's what we always hear people say they want to hear from God. But look what that servant had to do to hear that-- take a risk and invest the talents. What does that say we need to do in order to hear that when we one day stand before Him?

What talents might He be asking you to invest this year? What risks is He asking you to take? I pray that you and God will have some celebrating to do when He comes back to see what you did with what He gave you.
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10 comments:

Amber Rain said...

I too have begun the journey of taking risks with what God has given me. It is thrilling, exhilarating, and scary to take the initial leap each time. In the end though, whether that is five minutes from now or eighty years, I want to know my life counted for the Kingdom. Thank you for reminding me to continue asking God what new investments he wants me to make this year...

Anonymous said...

Awesome post. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great thoughts and I will be praying and thinking about what talents I am sitting on.
But I sometimes think (I know this is pessimistic), honestly, what if…they lost their investment, or didn't gain much from it...would the master still have said "well done..."? Or would he be angry that they lost his money or didn't invest more wisely or look into things better…
I know that's my fear creeping into my thoughts, but honestly that’s what I think sometimes...what if...

Lysa TerKeurst said...

Great thoughts to ponder Marybeth! Oh how easy it is to relate to the one who buried his talent. He wasn't trying to do something evil--- just wanted to take the safest route.

Just yesterday God called me to take a road that's anything but safe.

Thanks for these words of encouragement.

Lydia said...

So inspiring! Thank you Marybeth! My husband and I love reading your blogs, and are praying for you continually.

Carey said...

"Time for inspiring new blog posts full of promise about a great future in a whole new decade."

I'd say this qualifies! Thanks for the information. If you don't mind, I'm going to link to it on my blog. Step out!

Kathy Buchanan said...

I just got that study last week, so now I'm really excited to start it. Thanks, Marybeth.

Flamingo said...

aah. i hate when i read posts that are written for me:) i always turn around the room to see the camera or something to record my reaction:) this is good encoragement for me this morning. this morning i'm heading to new "friends" home. I just met her when she was seated at my table at a mom group. she just so happens to be a writer. to make a long story short she really wants to meet with me to look more at my writing and mentor me! the craziest thing is that I have been praying about writing...i don't feel like stepping out with anything...but yet I keep thinking about doing it so i prayed that God would bring opportunities to me if he wants me to pursue....so i have no choice but to meet with her because i can't believe our meeting was ironic. yet, i am wanting to cancel this morning. i'm so busy already...so reading this is convicting and reencouraging....this is not about me is it?

Rachel Olsen said...

MB, that is my all time favorite Bible Study (shhh, don't tell my dear friend Beth M). Enjoy!

Rhodema at MommyLife said...

Parables written in modern day lingo are what writing and devos are all about for me. I too have been pondering Jesus' parables.

Attending She Speaks for the first time this past summer was a huge blessing to me. I picked up For the Write Reason and I have been encouraged.

Blessings on the writing journey--