Just recently I heard someone speak about how God gives us “tools” and then He gives us opportunities to use those tools. I immediately could relate to what he was saying. God gave me tools this past Easter to share the Gospel, the Jelly Bean Prayer and Easter baskets. Then, he gave me numerous opportunities to share them with others. Most of the time it was received with joy which encouraged me to share it again and again.

As I began to think about other tools he has given me – leading ESL classes, writing, etc. – and about opportunities he may be giving me to use those tools, the parable of Jesus came to mind where he talked about investing our talents. It goes like this: A man who was going on a long journey called his servants to him. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to a third one talent, each according to his ability. While the man was gone, the servant with five talents invested his money so that it grew to ten talents. The servant with two talents also put his money to work and it grew to four talents. But, the one who received one talent went and hid it so he wouldn’t lose it. When the man came back, he commended the servants equally who put their talents to work and doubled their money. He called them “good and faithful servants.” But to the one who hid his talent, the man said, “You wicked and lazy servant…you should’ve at least put it in the bank where it would’ve gained interest.”

God has given us all tools (talents) to use in serving him. We can say, “No, I’m too busy.” or “That’s not my gift.” or “That’s out of my comfort zone.” We must remember that these tools he gives us don’t come fully developed, we must hone them and use them with opportunities that arise. Then God will give us more opportunities to use them more and more. As we are willing to use the talents we have and spend the time on the opportunities he sends our way, the “talents”/tools begin to grow and are perfected. Our opportunities begin to grow also, and someday our Master will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”