I overheard her recently telling someone that she was always told to whom much is given, much is required. I can only imagine the situation when that first came up. Probably to get her to clean her room....It more than likely wasn't that I was trying to call her to a higher standing. It was probably much more self-serving on my part.
But hearing the words from my daughter's mouth sounded more like a call to me, actually to all of us. Its time we use the gifts we have, which are many, without comparing them to the gifts of other people, which always seems like so much more than our own. We cannot stand idly by thinking that someone who is so much more gifted, more appropriate, more articulate will share the love of Christ with people. Leave it to the gifted, to the professionals, anyone but us.
The main idea here is that we are accountable for the resources and abilities with which God has blessed us each. If we have been given much, then he expects that much more from us. The good news is that all of these blessings come from the Lord, and he realizes that humans are not perfect and that we can't do anything right without his help (John 15:5). God has been very good to me, but the real value from those blessings is determined by what I do with them. I think that’s why Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)
I have got to admit that sometimes I wonder what he sees in a person like me. Isn’t it great that there are no limits to his forgiveness and patience? What about you? How are you using the resources God has given to you? We have been told that anything is possible through Jesus Christ as he will give us the strength we need (Philippians 4:13). So let's ask the Lord to give us his wisdom and Spirit so that we can be faithful stewards of what he has entrusted to us and expects of us.
When I was a high school youth leader I remember giving a portion of Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration speech to everyone in the group. I asked them to hang it on the bathroom mirror and read it every morning. I think I will now do the same.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
What have you done with what he gave you?
1 comment:
Your daughter had a wonderful teacher.
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