Use it or lose it! I hear that from Obama a lot these days in response to the oil companies sitting on a bunch of land that isn’t being used for drilling for oil. Obama says use the land or the government is gonna take it back.
Is there something you have been given, such as a talent that you aren’t using? Did you think that you could just hang onto it and keep it in your back pocket forever?
Luke 8:16-18: 16“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
This is a parable that Jesus tells to his disciples as a way of letting them know that they are to share the truth (the light) with the world, not keep it for themselves. However, in general terms we can think of the light as the talent or gift that God has entrusted us with. Should we keep that talent or gift hidden so that no one else can know it? If so, why did he give it to you in the first place?
Maybe it’s something you know needs to be shared, but you are scared or feel you aren’t good enough yet. Well, in verse 18 we see that whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has, will be taken away from him. If you work on the talent or gift to make yourself better, God will honor that commitment and continue to lead you to improvement and confidence. If you don’t apply yourself, then some day you may want to only to realize that it has been lost.
Have you ever been in a place where you want to kick yourself for not doing something you think you should have? I hear this a lot with people that wanted to play music when they were younger, but as they got older they don’t have the time or the patience to develop the talent and always end up wondering what it could have been like had they just played when they had the chance.
Some of you know that you can sing well if you just tried, but you keep to yourself because you think others won’t appreciate your voice. Some of you have a gift to connect and relate with strangers, but you won’t share the gospel with another because you are afraid that they may reject you because you stumble in your words. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect so practice! Everyone has to start somewhere, and it’s never at the top.
Take a risk! Be bold! Thank God for giving you that special gift or talent and commit it to him and share it with the world. You were given the talent or gift for a reason and it shouldn’t be kept hidden. Have the faith in knowing that God wants you to share it with others so that he may be glorified. Sometimes you only get one opportunity and then it’s too late. Don’t let this pass you by. Have faith and enjoy the experience. You’ll feel much better for trying and you’ll probably please and bless a bunch more people than just yourself :)
