God has quite a knack for creation.We’ve all read the rumors in scripture. The ones that say that He knows the number of hairs on our head, that we are fearfully, wonderfully made in His image. It may take a while to grasp, but deep down inside we know the truth. We are beautiful. We are the the cornerstone of God’s creation, the final touch of earth before the Great Artist rested and called it “good” (Gen. 1:31).
However at times we miss the point, can get sidelined and spend an awful lot of time talking about our flaws, why we don’t qualify and can step out and at times even our appearances. You’ve heard the saying, shoulda, woulda, coulda were the last words of a fool- well that certainly won’t be the case by the time you’ve finished reading this. It’s so easy to get caught up in it all, forget the wonderful things we are given, unique talents that make us who we are. He gave us those gifts, the question really is, are we using them, and more importantly are we effectively impacting others with the gifts we have been given.
While it’s well for us to have a healthy image of what we look like, perhaps the real struggle (at least sometimes) beneath the our physical insecurities is maintaining a healthy image of who we are created to be. After all, the same God who made our bodies also made our soul. He made the life within us. And part of the puzzle of who we are is the talents that we were given. It’s true. While God said “Let there be light” he also knew the “light” within each and every one of His daughters and sons. He knew who among us would be the writers, the singers, the athletes, bankers, doctors, the friend-makers, the joy-givers and the really smart test-takers.
These are our gifts. The talents and abilities that God has given you and me are not meant to remain in their boxes with their colorful, curly ribbons. They are meant to be taken out and loved. They are meant to be worn into the ground. They are meant to be planted and sowed so they can produce more gifts and affect those around us.
Jesus spoke a parable about this in Matthew (25:14–30). There were three employees in charge while the master went away. To each he gave a different sum of money, and he spoke well of the farmers who took their talents and invested them. But to the one who was timid and buried his talent? He was scorned, named wicked and lazy by his master. His talent never even saw the light of day. When the master returned, the employee with five talents was given all the more, why, because the master knew he would use it well.
Sisters, this is how we should live our lives. We should be spending our gifts on behalf of the kingdom. When we’re in Heaven, we’ll be casting our crowns before the King’s feet. But while we’re on this earth, in our circumstances, we should use our gifts affectively. If not for practice for when we one day reach heaven, then for bringing glory to God on earth.
By Brett. E. Wilson