When one and one can equal three

It’s a sunny Saturday morning and I have been busy in my garden.  I then felt compelled to stop what I was doing and to go and sit at my computer.  The only word I have at the moment is “talents”.  So, let’s see what comes from pondering on this subject for a while.

Well, first of all, we all have them!  So, as you read this, no one is exempt, including you.  Talents are not earned, they are given.  Given by our heavenly father who gives good gifts to his children.  So, a big question is, do you know what yours are?  Perhaps you could get a piece of paper and write them down.  Hopefully, you can think of a number of talents that you have.   Looking at your list, have a think about how you are using your talents.  Are there some that are more prominent than others, and are there some that you don’t really use at the moment?

What I see in your list of talents is ingredients for a cake.  On their own, they have limited use and might spend a lot of time in the cupboard.  But when you put them together, you end up with something that many can enjoy.  That is why we have birthday cakes to celebrate people.

Let’s dig a bit deeper into your talents.  As you look at them, are you using them in your day-to-day life?  Are there ways in which you could use them more at home with your family?  At work, in your community?  God gives us talents so we can use them.  Why not ask God how you can use them more?

I recently went on a course for creative writing and wellbeing.  I can tell you that it has completely opened up my creative writing, and I am using it all of the time.  Sometimes it is about making time for things.  Maybe look at your list of talents and think about one that you would like to develop and invest in.  From my own recent experience, I can tell you it can only be a good thing.

So, we’ve talked about you as an individual and maybe at home and at work, but I would like to finish by asking you how you are using your talents for God?  On the basis that he gave them to you in the first place, he really wants to see you use them for Him.

When I was growing up, I used to get pocket money once a week on a Saturday.  I’m not sure if there is even such a thing these days.  But I would eagerly anticipate getting my coins and going to the sweet shop to buy some sweet peanuts or lemon bonbons.

Think of the talents that God has given you as pocket money.  It can last for a very short amount of time if, like me, you go and spend it in one go.

The idea of the parable of the talents is that you invest what God has given you.  As you use your talents, they can grow.

As a community, we are blessed with an array of talents.  My heart is for us to come together and use them to bless others and to grow in our own faith journey.  As we do this, we will see our talents grow.