Day 29- Multiplying Talents
Yesterday was about God’s waiting room. Even though we get impatient, we must not move ahead of Him. No good can come from stepping out on our own. Seasons of “in-between” are opportunities for us to minister where we are…until He moves us on.
I am experiencing a season of “in-between” in my own life. When Ron accepted the call to become part of the pastoral staff at First Baptist Church At The Villages, I began praying about what The Lord might be calling me to as well.
At First Baptist Church of Brandon, I left two very active ministries that The Lord had allowed me lead. Our Deaf Ministry and our Compassion House ministry (community outreach providing food and clothing). I was also part of a leadership team that joined with 15 churches at Thanksgiving and Christmas to provide food, toys, and Jesus to our community. As part of Ron’s out reach to young adults, I would partner with him, on occasion, to co-teach Bible studies.
I was actively involved in ministry for over 12 years. Therefore, when we moved, I found myself in a weird place. In order for Landon to qualify for the charter high school in our area, I had to get a job with an approved market place employer. God graciously provided me a job as an assistant to a husband and wife realtor team. They were a precious couple. However, I was stuck in a cubicle everyday pushing papers. Those that know me, understand that I am a people person. But, I had to do what was needed for Landon’s education.
So, I began to pray about opportunities to minister where He had planted me. God faithfully provided. I began to build relationships with my cubbie-mates at work. We regularly had conversations and once they knew I was a pastor’s wife, they would ask me “deep” questions and seek counsel for their problems. One of my sweet cubbie-mates, is a divorced mom with two young children. The year before I arrived, she had escaped a physically abusive relationship. As a result her abuse, she was diagnosed with PTSD and suffered from severe anxiety.
Over time, she and I became close. I began to share scripture with her, pray with her at work, and shared salvation through Jesus. I saw God begin to transform her life. She began to gain confidence and take back her life from the enslavement of fear that had controlled her every decision.
Throughout this time, I continued to pray about where The Lord would have me serve within our church body. While First Baptist At The Villages has a Deaf Ministry, Ryan is the only Deaf member. And since he works in the tech booth on Sundays, there is no need for me to interpret for him. I have prayed about actively pursuing the Deaf in our area, but God has not given me permission to do that yet.
In the past, I have moved ahead of God. It was disastrous. Because of my self-imposed messes, I have learned to wait. We are called to be others focused, even in seasons of silence or the “in-between.” God has provided me opportunities to love on and minister to others where I am planted. Those opportunities may not have come the way I planned but I had to trust that God was working out His plan.
This Faith Journey devotional has come during this season of “in-between.” I was actually doing “clean-up” of old documents on my computer and came across a file of my writings/journaling spanning a decade. I began to read back over every entry and felt The Holy Spirit prompting me to share them. So, I began the process of praying and confirming that with The Lord. It was with apprehension, I walked through the door He opened and began writing.
In order to write this Faith Journey, The Lord had to open up old wounds that even years later are filled with pain and joy, victory and defeat. My conclusion, I believe My Sovereign Creator needed to remind me of His faithfulness in my “in-between.” I needed to pick up my Ebenezers and remember who He is and what He has done so that He could prepare me for what’s next…whatever that may be.
- Read Matthew 25:14-30
Explain what the first two servants did with their talents (coins)?
What the third servant did with his talent?
In verse 26, what did the master call the third servant?
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” Matt 25:29
When you and I accept Christ as Savior, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts gifts to each of us. What are you doing with the gifts that He has trusted you with? Even in seasons of waiting, we are to continue to be His hands and feet to others.
You and I should have a desire to be like the woman with the alabaster box containing expensive perfume. She was willing to pour out all she had on Jesus as a sweet aroma (Matt 26). She didn’t care what others thought, even the disciples. She only cared about what Jesus thought. Her ongoing ministry was not going around and pouring out perfume on those she met. But, for that day, her calling was to serve The Lord with everything she had.
Obedience over feelings…People before things…Service before position.
Let’s Pray together for endurance to trust Him, praise Him, and serve Him in our seasons of “in-between.” Sisters, our addresses may change over time but His will for our lives never-changes…Make Jesus the priority of our lives, to seek and save the lost, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Be Jesus to others today, where you are planted.
It’s hard to believe that Our Faith Journey together ends tomorrow. However, our Faith Journey’s individually never end. I look forward to our last day together. I adore you and I am praying for you!
