Today’s Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Psalm 128:1-5;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30
Many people dream of doing great things in this life. Those who play sports dream of winning the championship. Those in the business dream of growing their businesses. Artists and actors dream of becoming well-known. People in marriage pray that their union will last. In almost everything we do; we dream of excelling. This drive is part of the natural desires God has given to us.
We must strive to excel in the most important part of our lives. What is the most important part of our lives? It is the calling we have received to serve God and one another (Matthew 7:12; 20:26-28). This means that by uniting our natural desire for greatness with the call to serve the will of God, there is no limit to the riches of grace God will bestow on you.
What are some lessons from today’s readings?
Your natural abilities or talents are gifts from God.
Your gifts are given to you for the glory of God and to further His Kingdom here on earth. So, put your gifts to proper use.
The proper use of your gifts will enrich lives and profit you. The improper use of them will destroy lives and punish you.
Burying your gifts, failing to use them because of fear or using them for yourself alone is a sin against God who gave them to you.
Our gifts and talents are priceless; they cannot be quantified in either silver or gold.
Never belittle your talent (one talent of a sliver from Jesus’ Parable equals 30,000 USD or 25M naira today).
Idleness is the fastest way to be employed by the devil.
God has given you talents that are proportionate to your ability—are you working with what you have or are you complaining about what you lack (1 Corinthians 10:13)?
As valuable as your gifts are, they are still nothing compared to the real gifts which God will give you when you finish your earthly race and make heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9).
If you are still trying to discover your gifts, begin by using your time and resources to serve others.
Stay humble and be approachable.
Dispel the thought that you cannot make much of a difference. Commit yourself to daily prayer. Strive to weed out all sin in your life. Do the small things well and God will smile on these little offerings and transform them into a superabundance of grace.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for entrusting me with my gifts, talents and vocation. Help me daily, by your grace, to excel in all I am and all that I do.
Pour out your abundant blessings of grace on me, so that I will excel at giving glory to You and making your Kingdom present on earth. Amen.
May the grace of God make you fruitful in good works and lead you to life everlasting through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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