questions

Using His Talents Wisely

~ Hope Surrendered ~ Leave a comment

Question Mark - Copy

I want to say a huge “thank you” to those of you who have commented, emailed or messaged me about my last post. Your grace and support is truly appreciated!

I’ve been reminded of the importance of using the resources I’ve been given.

The Amplified Version of the Bible in Matthew 25:29 says:

“For to everyone who has will more be given,
and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance;
but from the one who does not have,
even what he does have will be taken away.”

I don’t want to even think of the possibility of wasting something the Lord would desire for me to do, yet any one of us could easily come up with a quick list in how we’ve done just that. If I have the ability to produce something good in His name (fruit), it is because He has given it to me to use for His glory (vine); if I don’t have the ability, but He has called me to it, I can trust in Him to provide me with the resources and abilities. Just as in the parable of the talents in Matthew, chapter 25, I need to invest in the “talents,” responsibilities and blessings I’ve been given, and I need to be pursuing them wisely — or there will be a cost.

_______________

Part of me is struggling with whether or not to make this site about my daily goings-on in the way I handle the challenges, conflicts, blessings and smile moments that happen in my normal days. There are a lot of bloggers out there who do this. My life isn’t necessarily one that would be labeled by others as fascinating or exciting, AND, I definitely don’t have all the answers, so I’m not sure that’s the way for me to go. However, I am reflective, and that character trait could be a benefit in sharing my perspectives on these pages.

The other part of me is wondering if maybe I just need to focus less on longer posts with pictures and more on what really captures my heart and helps my path to be lit by Him.

I have a lot of these little moments.

I’m not sure how meaningful they’d be to all of you, but they certainly are meaningful to me — they serve as a reminder of His constant presence. There’s a lot of joy, peace and comfort in that for me, and if I could give you a bit of that, then it could make a difference in your life and in mine.

Maybe I need to do a little of each? If you have any thoughts, I’m open to them!

Well…I have just realized that I’ve done all the above in this post! For now, I’ll be working on some of the started-but-not-finished posts I mentioned the other day. I’m praying about them, and I’m keeping my eyes and heart open to some new ideas, too.

 

_____________________________________________

Advertisement

Finding Hope in Serving Others

~ Hope Surrendered ~ Leave a comment

“What can I do?”

“What do I have to do?”

We’re called upon quite often to help others. Our innate asks and answers the call to help before our spoken words have the chance to leave our tongue.

Which question does your innate summon?

Which question do you speak?

Service, simply, is helping others. Service is not what we do for others, but what we give to others.

In the latter part of Romans, Paul outlines what service can look like for a Christian seeking to walk as the Lord would have them walk. Starting with Chapter 12, we see a shift in Paul’s tone from instructing us on how we should live to a tone of giving us his counsel and encouragement in applying what he has taught us. I interpret part of his exhortation to recognize that even though we are individuals, we are a part of something bigger. The choices we make are to be a contribution toward effectively living out our purpose as a member of the larger body. Life should no longer just be about us.

If service were about what we were doing for others, we would hold the upper hand or the power in the task (and maybe even some self-oriented pride in the outcome). When our mindset, our questions, our answers and our service are all about what we give to others, the upper hand and the power released is about something much greater than the one doing the service or even the one being served. It’s about the Spirit — about His ability to move within us, within others and within the world.

When we demand to be recognized or feel the need to point out what we’ve done just in case the other person missed it, is our service Godly service? When another is in need or we’re asked to provide a helping hand, is our nature to find a way to contribute or to check our schedule to find a way out of it?

When called upon to help, are our choices, words, actions, deeds AND thoughts, oriented toward God? or Self? Our innate answers before we do, and His grace gives us the power and reason summon a new answer.

Finding Hope in the Circumstances

~ Hope Surrendered ~ Leave a comment

Lone Daisy

Why me? Why have today’s circumstances been allowed to be today’s circumstances in my life?

It’s a question I ask myself all the time. It’s a question that brings me HOPE (learned over a lot of hurt), because I know that I am a child of God, and I know that He has promised to bring me hope and to work all of these circumstances for good.

Jeremiah 29:11 brings the hope:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

and Romans 8:28 brings the promise:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So what IS the point of today’s circumstances?

Are they to refine me? To define me?
Are there lessons to be learned by me? Or, are there lessons to be taught to others?
Am I meant to take away an opportunity for growth? Or, is the take away meant to be shown to others as an example of hope?
Are these circumstances a lifeline to what lies ahead? Or, are they a lesson of what needs to remain behind?

My checklist reveals a lot. The answers that I jot down reveal a lot. The answers are there. The original question begs for the additional questions to be asked. The answers are there.

God is speaking to me today. No, not out loud, but very profoundly. When I can lean on His hope and His promises and know them to be faithful and true, I will be able to sort out some of the answers. Then, maybe, just maybe, the dilemma will become another blessing.