THINK YOU GOT TALENT
We are or for some have been obsessed with watching the contestant compete. Season after season producers searches the globe for a new set of aspiring performers looking to compete for the ultimate $1 million prize. Each season promises to deliver some of the wildest acts to ever grace the "AGT" stage. With the show open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" continues to celebrate the variety format like no other show on television. Year after year, "America's Got Talent" features a colorful array of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, magicians, ventriloquists, and hopeful stars, all vying to win America's hearts and a $1 million prize.
The world's stage has always been Attracting, development as a top priority. To do this successfully, it is essential to understand the unique needs and goals of each individual so that we can support them in a tailored manner. It is also critical to shaping a broader organizational culture/environment where every talent, regardless of their specific preferences and goals, can thrive and fulfill their potential. Now. In theory, there isn’t really anything wrong with going after your dreams is there?
With this in mind, I’ve spent a lot of time recently reflecting on the evolving needs of our world especially within the community of the body of Christ, particularly in light of the pandemic and various global social movements that have transformed what people expect on a day-to-day basis.
We typically engage in discussions to understand what’s governing our needs and aspirations. The kind of themes surfacing this past year may not be so surprising, but the consistency with which they are raised speaks volumes.
What do we seek?
A sense of purpose and shared values: what are we doing to improve access to our medicines in less developed health systems? What are we doing to address climate change? What are we giving back to society? And most importantly, how can I contribute?
Empowerment, accountability, autonomy, and the freedom to fail: why am I spending so much time on processes and systems to get approvals, instead of being trusted to do my job, experiment, innovate and deliver value for patients and customers?
Equity and an environment where they can be whole: how can we better celebrate uniqueness and offer equal opportunities for development regardless of gender, ethnicity, orientation, age, or any other aspect of diversity?
Inclusion, to have a voice, for that voice to be heard, to contribute, to make a difference, to challenge the status quo: what are we doing to promote and speak the truth of our culture?
Balance, to have a personal commitment in CHRIST, while working to walk peaceably in life and not just work: how are we leveraging our new way in Christ with day-to-day work, home, and community?
Growth, to learn, to gain new experiences. What more can we do to support learning & development for EACH OTHER, to take a leap of faith in our process of growing together as One Body in Christ?
It takes a Shifting of Our Minds.
Thought to Ponder… With all that you have and are seeking what have you gained from it?
Paradigm shifting isn't always obvious, but you'll slowly begin to see how much more positive you are. This, in turn, will start to attract positivity into your life – including the things you've been wanting to manifest for a long time.
When you stop saying I have, and start saying We. When you stop seeing from the outside in and you start seeing from the inside, out, you will begin to see what Christ meant” be of one Mind”.
2 Corinthians 13:11
This is why I write these things while absent so that when I am present, I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you
Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited
The Parable of Our Talents
Matthew Chapter 25
1. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods.
2. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey.
3. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
4. And likewise, he that had received two also gained other two.
After a long time, the lord of those servants cometh and reckoned with them.
What HE said to these: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Here comes the concerning issue
But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
After a long time, the lord of those servants cometh and reckoned with them.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
1. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
2. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
3. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him, that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
4. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
These verses are the opening to what is known as the parable of the talents. The whole parable is found in Matthew 25:14-30. A talent, so that you know, was a measure of money. And, comparatively speaking, it was no small sum of money. One talent could be valued at around $400,000 in today’s dollars.
However, the parable of the talents is not really talking about money. More importantly, it is talking about stewardship, responsibility, and preparedness. When you look at this parable, it really is one of self-examination...and that is what we're going to do.
I want to highlight some of the top takeaways from the parable of the talents, which I will do by asking four questions.
REMEMBER
The Importance of Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
The foundation of the parable of the talents really begins with this verse. That’s why this parable is one of preparedness—because eventually, Jesus is coming back. In this story, the man traveling is Jesus and we are the servants. With that being understood, let’s look closer so we can find those top takeaways from this parable of the talents.
What Does the Parable of the Talents Mean?
Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 25:14-15. A man traveled to a far country, called his own servants, delivered his goods to them, and immediately went on a journey. I hope you can see the parallels. Jesus came to earth, called his disciples, entrusted them with the message of the gospel, and departed when he ascended back to heaven. By the way, Matthew 25:19 completes this snapshot.
After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (NKJV)
This verse is a reminder that not only did Christ leave this earth, but one day he will come back and we will have to give account. This is one of the top takeaways. The parable of the talents is a reminder that Jesus is coming back and we have some work to do. With that being said, here are 4 questions I want you to consider.
1. What Has God Given You?
One of the phrases that leap off the page to me when I read this story is “to each according to his own ability.” This leads me to ask the simple question: what has God given you to do? What is your role and expectation in the kingdom?
Remember, he began the parable by saying what the kingdom of heaven is like. God has given you responsibility, according to your ability. So often we leave the work of preaching the gospel and making disciples to those who are “called” to do it. Well, the reality is that calling is for all of us. Some may have more responsibility if God has called them to do that in a full-time capacity, but we are all called to this purpose. These are the goods God has delivered to you and me.
Whether God has positioned you to do this full-time or not, please recognize what God has given you. The message of the gospel (the goods) is alive in you if you know Jesus as your savior.
2. What Are You Doing with It?
Now that you know the responsibility because it applies to everyone, what are you doing with it? I don’t just want to be theoretical here, I want to be very practical. Remember, one had 5 talents, one had 2 talents, and one had 1 talent. I want you to shift your mindset for a moment and understand something. Everyone is in full-time ministry. The difference is what is the primary focus of your ministry.
Some people’s ministry is only focused on the gospel and disciples all the time (5 talents). Some people work full-time outside of a church or “ministry” setting and may volunteer to serve in the church. For this person, the majority of their ministry happens in their jobs and communities (2 talents or 1 talent). So being a teacher, business person, an accountant (or whatever your occupation) is full-time ministry.
The difference is that the primary focus of your ministry is not just preaching the gospel. You may have kids to teach, or people to manage, or numbers to crunch—but it is still ministry. In the course of working, you can shine light and share the truth of the gospel when the opportunities arise.
The bottom line is you may not be able to do as much as someone with 5 talents, but you still can contribute with the talents God has given you.
3. Are You Ready for His Return?
One of the top takeaways from this parable of the talents is the suddenness of the master’s return. This takes us back to Matthew 25:19 –
After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (NKJV)
There are two points of emphasis here: 1) the master (Jesus) will return one day, and 2) we will have to give an account. The master didn’t announce his coming, he just came back after a long time. It will be the same with Jesus. After a while, he will come back. The question is, are you ready for his return? Another way of looking at it is—what would you want to be doing when Jesus returns? Hopefully, the answer is to be taking what he has entrusted you with and sharing it with those around you. After all, this is the only way possible he can get a return on what he has entrusted you with.
4. What Will Jesus Say to You on That Day?
When you read the whole story, there were two different responses given to the servants. Two of them heard "well done" and one heard "you wicked, lazy servant." That is why it is so important to focus on what you do with the responsibility God has given you and not the amount of responsibility God has given you.
The irony of this situation is the man with the smallest amount of responsibility was the one who was declared wicked and lazy. This tells me that the measure of evaluation is not how much God has given you but what are you doing with it. In other words, there are no excuses.
I know this is challenging, but it is part of the calling and what Jesus has entrusted us to do. What God has given you is real and valuable and you have a responsibility to share it, even if all you have is 1 talent. That can make a huge difference in the kingdom of God, and it can make a difference in what God will say to you on that day.
encourage you to consider what God has entrusted and placed in you. Consider what he is asking you to do. Remember everyone is not going to be full-time (5 talents) tasked with preaching the gospel. Most of us will only have 2 talents or 1 talent.
Whatever God has tasked you to do, work at it with all your might, be the best, you can be, and do all you can for the kingdom of God. It will all be worth it.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
The Need for Self-Discipline
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
