The Review

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Matthew 25:14-15 ESV

Spiritual gifts. They are the talents Believers are given when we put our faith in Jesus. It is these gifts which we are to use as He would. His property we are to embrace, exercise, and extend to others for the building up of His Kingdom and the glory of His Father.

In the process of using the gifts I’ve been entrusted with, I’ve ended up in some places I never expected. One is here, calling myself author because that’s what He calls me. The shining for Him as an author includes the stepping out boldly, not in my own strength but in the power of the Spirit He’s entrusted to me. The power to be all He says I am that I cannot yet see.

Two weeks ago, I led a small weekly worship service, Praise & Prayer, offered at the church I am a member of. I accepted the invitation weeks ago knowing it was a step toward embracing the call to author, which often includes speaking in the form of sharing your message, your platform. For Believers, the Message we share isn’t ours but His. It is part of the Property He’s entrusted to us.

It was one of the moments, a step of faith, He honored. He guided me along the way. Gave words as I graciously got out of His way. Using what He’d given rather than looking at me. It was the first time I spoke “publicly” (outside of a classroom) when my voice did not shake. It was the first time I stepped out of doubt, took eyes off myself, and spoke what He’d given me for Him and His glory.

I share that now because I have an opportunity to speak again. For Him. For His glory.

The lovely ladies we met at the Roaring Lambs writers conference, Joy and Rosemary, who make up Joy & Co. and have a radio talk show reviewing faith-based literature contacted me with another invitation. An invitation to be interviewed on their radio show, The Review.

That’s where I’ll be this evening at 7pm, live on the Fishbowl Radio Network’s Grey Stream. My first interview. We’ll be talking about my first devotional book The Heart of Bethlehem: A Twenty-five Day Journey of Faith for the Christmas Season.

Praying to remember I’ve been entrusted with His property. His Message. A tiny bit of His Kingdom. Praying I will be faith-full in looking to Him and not at me.

Hoping you’ll pray for me too and perhaps listen in.

Do you know what He’s entrusted to you? as a Believer and servant of His Kingdom?

If you read the rest of Jesus’s parable found in Matthew 25:14-30 you’ll discover the one entrusted with the smallest part of the master’s property, one talent, dug a hole and buried it out of fear. He didn’t use it. Embrace it. Exercise it. Extend it out into the world for the benefit of his master.

When the master returned, this servant who buried what was entrusted to him was rebuked, called worthless, and tossed out into the dark. The others, who faithfully served with what was entrusted to them, were praised.

“You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Matthew 25:21, 23 ESV

All who believe have been entrusted with something of the Master’s Kingdom until He returns. By faith, step out, despite the fear of the flesh. Don’t be found unfaithful at the time He returns to review all we’ve done with what He’s given. Enter into the Master’s joy. Be faithful in every little thing.

[Feature Image Photo by Matt Botsford on Unsplash]