"A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honour: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work."
2 Timothy 2:21
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How do you feel when God expands your capacity? That is, you were a steward of one talent, and suddenly you’ve been entrusted with many.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
The more things that God puts on my plate, whether in his house or personally, the more I wonder why. Rather than be excited, I’m curious, dare-I-say suspicious. What is this for? Why are you giving me this thing to do? Where are we going? What am I supposed to learn?
My natural response is always, “There’s someone else who could do a better job; why are you choosing me?” Without missing a beat, He reminded me that He qualifies the called, He doesn’t call the qualified.
Let me just say, once I get comfortable, adding another responsibility feels disruptive, it’s another task that I must prioritize. Learning and making mistakes, although it’s natural, is an unpleasant experience. And I see God continue to place me in such uncomfortable circumstances. I want to stick to what I am good at and get better. I ask God, why would you rather invest extra time and effort on a newbie, when you can get an expert for less time and effort? But that’s not how the Kingdom works. It’s not a show of capability but of the power of God working to fulfill His purposes.
An increase of capacity is a blessing--- but also a responsibility. It’s not just a responsibility in working the number of talents, but it’s about trusting God. We marvel at multi-talented people, and the number of activities with which they are entrusted but fail to realize that whether you are entrusted with 1 or 10, the same thing is required of all of us: trust and faithfulness. Trusting God, and faithfulness to what He has called us to do. And some of us are faithful, but may not trust, or trust, but are not faithful. And because you think your 1 talent is inferior, you’re neither trusting nor faithful.
Sobering, isn’t it? That’s food for thought.
So, what does trust and faithfulness look like in practice? For me, it starts with listing what God called me to do, making a plan, and following through with said plan. I’ll trust Him to rearrange, reprioritize at His discretion for the fulfillment of his purpose. I’m a hired hand carrying out a service, an assignment. Thus, for the remaining days of the month, and the remainder of the year, I’ll commit to faithfully executing my service unto Him.