Valued Talents

Close your eyes and it would seem the very angels from heaven are on stage when Susie sings.  When Pastor Smith preaches his eloquence demands attention and people are moved by his words.  The audience is taken back to another place in time when Sarah portrays the woman at the well feeling her anguish and then hope. Joe starts tickling the ivories and the whole church is brought to its feet in adoration of the amazing God we serve.  Music moves the heart and soul when nothing else can.

Ever feel like you can't sing, preach, teach, act, or play an instrument like _________?

How can God use me, I have no talent in these areas?  

While the above mentioned talents may bring us to an emotional awareness of God these 

aren't the only avenues God works through.  It's time we lower the bar in comparing and raise the bar in expectations. 

Jesus gives us two parables using the illustration of receiving talents and then investing them in Luke 19:11-27 and Matthew 25:14-30. Matthews’s parable connects to the following verses describing all nations and people gathered to the Son of Man to give an account of what they did for him and how they invested what he gave them on earth.

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:31-40 NLT)

Notice how Jesus didn't ask what sermons were preached, songs sung or played, or even what favorite biblical character was portrayed. 

 

Here is the good news! These are the valued talents God has given to everyone.  We all have the opportunity and time to invest in someone everyday--no special abilities required other than an open and willing heart to be used.  

Comparison game gone, all are equally equipped. Expectation levels raised because the human touch accompanied with God's touch will always bring interest from the investment.

For the most part these talents are void of public accolades so if you and I are looking for recognition might want to choose a different path. 

  

Lord, help me not to get caught up in the comparison game. It is so easy to do because my flesh cries out for recognition. Help me to realize these talents are from you and you are expecting interest from the investment...for your honor not mine.  Today, may I be aware of those around me needing a touch of your grace in their lives.