Matthew 25: 14-30 "So I was afraid and went and hid your money in the ground. Here is your bag of gold." (v. 25; Extreme Teen Bible (The Holy Bible, New Century Version, 2006)).
This week's reading in Matthew has caused a great stirring of mind and spirit... Which of the three depicted in this week's investment parable do you easily associate with? Or like me, when hearing Rev. Marlayna's tale of the Chelsea, Mass. donut maker, do you too take the easy or safe route? If you didn't hear it, basically: a talented and passionate baker was asked to join with an excellent coffee brewer and entrepreneur; the baker refused saying he was content with his modest success. The implication that loomed was one of lost opportunity due to sticking to having a small (or NO) vision! Who knows, Dunkin' or Starbucks may have never gotten off the ground, had the baker risked and joined forces.
Not in a political vein, but I do see myself as conservative in nature prior to becoming comfortable to step 'out there'. Commonly, however I am ignoring God-given talents for the sake of perceived safety versus my projection of what may happen worst case. Now, I can easily conjure up justification for my now natural tendency because of my rearing, but [that] doesn't align with an evolving desire to discern God's will, much less Christianly thinking or my serving as best I'm able or called to. Can you identify with an unwillingness to envision beyond what's safe? Go ahead - take a pencil or a minute; think of what you do best or list what things you do well. I maintain that as Christians, one of our treasures is the Christ within us, but sharing that is a talent as well as a challenge. Love is not boastful or proud (1 Cor. 13:4), but my gifts include: listening, maintaining my domicile, encouraging & teaching youth and as a background utility supporter (that last one is a baseball analogy to the guy who willingly fills-in as needed). So, did you come up with where you might make a contribution as FFC re-defines itself for its next few years of serving each other, the community and world? Self-reflection encourages me to examine motives for my current role and distinguish if I'm doing what God wants rather than what I want to do for Him. ........ still thinking..
Look for the brilliance of Christ the treasure in yourself, 'tis quite becoming! ..Deacon, Kevin