Competition

Bible study at Second Baptist resumed yesterday on the topic of the "Event Planner". Pam again taught a terrific lesson that I am pretty sure touched every single person in the audience.This week was on the guest list; reminding us that Jesus is our life planner and he shows up first to every event. And when we walk into the event, we are to not look for the best seat in the house but the least seat making sure that the closer seat remains available for someone who has a rightful position in God's eyes. It is in our humility and Christ's ability that we take our places and accept our places with gladness according to his plans. It is easy to get sucked up into the need to position ourselves and our children into the "right: place'. But we, in all honesty do not know where the right place is unless we submit to God's plan. When we choose to humbly hang back and not get all wadded up in impatient expectation and take note of what has already been done and trust Christ to continue doing that which he has purposed for our good, that is where we will find joy and strengthened relationships. (Luke 14:1-6)

She then scooted on through the lesson to a part that just sent fireworks up in my head because I had never considered her take on that particular parable. It is one that most of us have heard time and time again. And I have to share it because I think you too, if you have not already dissected it to apply to your life in the manner suggested, will find it a great encouragement.

But before I tell you the address of the verses, just ask yourself one question? Do you ever compare yourself and your personality and your abilities with someone else? Chances are the majority of you, if you are honest, would have to answer yes. I think we all do that. Compare.
We see people juggling, successfully I might add, ten things at a time with no hint of struggle or impatience while we, in comparison are doing good just to get out of bed in the morning. We wonder , in discouragement why we are not able to do as others are doing or have what others have. And the questions start rolling and send us in a downward spiral of frustration, discouragement, jealousy, anger and all those feelings that do us no good but great harm. I have been there, and I would guess so have many of you. Ok, this is where the lesson comes in!

The parable is in Matthew 25: 14-30. The one about the talents. God tells the story of a master summoning his slaves and entrusting them with his property; giving five to one , two to another and yet only one to another. They are instructed to care for them until he returns. He returns and the one with five made five more, the response was "well done good and trustworthy servant, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." The one with two made two more and the response was the same. ohhhh but the one who was given only one was scared and went and hid it so that there would be no chance of losing it. The servant told the master the reason for his choice was that he knew the master reaped what he did not sow, and gathered where he did not scatter seed, and that he was a harsh master. The master replied, you knew these things yet you chose to hide what you had been given and not even give it to the bankers to earn interest. Not good so he took the one talent from him and gave it to the one with ten talents.

Ok, I have always considered the story as a good and bad investment story but yesterday Pam put a spin on it that saying that we have none of us have been given the equal portions of anything. Some are given more talents, more money, more savvy, more juggling abilities and it is when we compare ourselves to someone else's portion that is when we slide into troublesome anxiety. We are supposed to take whatever we are given and run with it in celebration and joy, not hide what we have because it is not flashy enough or big enough or good enough or smart enough. What we have been given from God is a portion and position that he can and will and does manifest into bringing glory to himself through our thoughts, efforts, loving care and appreciation.

Just as we are to trust Jesus with our position at the event, we are to stand tall in confidence that we can trust him to use what he has given us in our talents and abilities and gifted bents to make a positive difference in our relationships as well as an effective presence in our able contributions to our community.
It doesn't matter if we have five talents or one talent, Christ is watching to see what we will do with what we have been given. If we activate it, whatever it may be, and faithfully use it in willful obedience to God's ways, we will be able "to enter into the joy of our master."

I just loved that analogy. God gives His different portions according to his purposes and plans. And we are to go forth and run with what we have...in celebration and for His glory.

Dear Lord, Help me to be content with that which you have given me and let my neediness be centered around my need for you. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!