For almost an entire year we have been bombarded with roadblocks and barriers otherwise called, social distancing, pandemic, remaining safe, etc. — very legitimate reasons causing us to “hunker down” in our homes, redesign corporate worship, use technology rather than meeting in person to host events and offer bible studies — physically distancing ourselves from the world around us.
Many of us have had to drastically reduce or cease meeting loved ones, family members, or going to work in an office building. Children have had to attend school online steering clear of classmates and other social interactions. Elderly family members living in nursing homes haven’t been able to have visitors making an already lonely life even more so. No longer are we able to shake hands, hug someone in distress, or say hello with a kiss on the cheek.
Talk about depressing!
If you’re like me, you may have grown comfortable with doing nothing. It’s been easy for me to throw up my hands, shake my head, and say, “Oh well, there’s nothing I can do!”
That’s just about the same time I re-read the Parable of the Talents with new eyes.
Matthew 25: 14-15
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
I don’t know how many times I have read this parable, but recently I noticed something new. The Master left each servant amply supplied with the proper number of talents according to his own ability. No-one was left with empty hands. Each servant had the ability and choice to do something that would benefit the Master’s property.
Matthew 25:19-30
Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Thankfully our service doesn’t earn our salvation. We are His, redeemed children of God, precious in our Father’s eyes. God is our Protector, our Provider, our Redeemer.
But consider how wonderful it would have been if the lazy servant had at least invested his Master’s property? The whole tone of the parable would have changed if he had made just one more talent during his Master’s absence.
Now I have to ask myself, what is the one thing that I can do?
What about you? What can you do?
Realizing you cannot do all things (believe me, I know..I’ve tried), and understanding you may not be able to do many things, I absolutely know, without a doubt or question, that you can do at least one thing that will benefit our Father’s Kingdom!
So what’s it going to be?
Why not make a phone call to someone who is alone or struggling with anxiety?
Maybe you can send a hand-written note to a friend, missionary, or church worker?
Would you be willing to host or attend a virtual bible study or worship service?
Maybe you would be ready, willing, and/or able to plan, implement, and/or take part in a socially-distant servant event?
It would be absolutely wonderful if just one of these ideas appealed you! Let’s talk about it! How can I help you? I am praying for you. Please know that I am here and am willing to assist you in any way I can.
Until the next time and beyond, may we be encouraged to serve, given all the resources we need, and have the wisdom to live in faith as we proclaim the hope we share in our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Sincere and heartfelt,
Linda Guteres
LWML Atlantic District President
Visit LWML.org and take a gander at the oodles of free resources available for you to use as you proclaim the goodness of God to those around you. Let’s tell the world about our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!