There are many scriptures which speak to our potential and encourage us to work wisely for the time is short, investing our lives in the Kingdom.  However, none is more potent than the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. (You may want to take a few moments and re-read the parable)

There are two powerful statements from the master that must be caught in this parable. The first comes in the form of a commendation, given by the master to the first two servants who invested their talents, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This exclamation shows us that there is reward for those who make the most of the opportunity, who, as it is expressed in Latin, “carpe diem,” or in English, “seize the day!”

The other high-impact statement is found at the end of the story. After the third servant, (the one who buried the talent entrusted to him rather than invest it), presents the lone talent back to his master. The master takes it from him and gives it to the one with the ten talents and says, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

That principle is violently shocking to our way of thinking, but it is the way of God. He rewards those who invest their talents, those who sow their lives, who take risks, who give their all, who endeavor to live with no regrets! But for those who allow fear, intimidation, laziness or lack of vision to hold them back, the danger is that He will take even what they have and give it to the one who has much.

I have met myriads of people in my ministry, who sit with me and share regret that they didn’t step out, move forward, or believe for the impossible.

I told my wife when I turned 35, that at the end of my life, I didn’t want to look back and regret that I hadn’t taken more risks, chances, or bold steps for the Kingdom. I didn’t want to review my life and see a parade of years filled with fear and complacency. Instead, I want to look back over my years and be able to close my eyes with contentment, knowing that I made the most of my opportunities, that I seized the day.

As we step into another school year, life will present us with a variety of opportunities. Many of them will come disguised as obstacles. What turns an obstacle into an opportunity is the attitude we bring to the situation. If we choose to seize the day, to embrace the obstacle as an opportunity for God to come through, we will reap the harvest; but if we shrink from the obstacle because of fear or complacency, we will lose, and even what we have may end up in the hands of someone else. Remember, “Those who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

There are many scriptures which speak to our potential and encourage us to work wisely for the time is short, investing our lives in the Kingdom.  However, none is more potent than the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. (You may want to take a few moments and re-read the parable)

There are two powerful statements from the master that must be caught in this parable. The first comes in the form of a commendation, given by the master to the first two servants who invested their talents, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

This exclamation shows us that there is reward for those who make the most of the opportunity, who, as it is expressed in Latin, “carpe diem,” or in English, “seize the day!”

The other high-impact statement is found at the end of the story. After the third servant, (the one who buried the talent entrusted to him rather than invest it), presents the lone talent back to his master. The master takes it from him and gives it to the one with the ten talents and says, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

That principle is violently shocking to our way of thinking, but it is the way of God. He rewards those who invest their talents, those who sow their lives, who take risks, who give their all, who endeavor to live with no regrets! But for those who allow fear, intimidation, laziness or lack of vision to hold them back, the danger is that He will take even what they have and give it to the one who has much.

I have met myriads of people in my ministry, who sit with me and share regret that they didn’t step out, move forward, or believe for the impossible.

I told my wife when I turned 35, that at the end of my life, I didn’t want to look back and regret that I hadn’t taken more risks, chances, or bold steps for the Kingdom. I didn’t want to review my life and see a parade of years filled with fear and complacency. Instead, I want to look back over my years and be able to close my eyes with contentment, knowing that I made the most of my opportunities, that I seized the day.

As we step into another school year, life will present us with a variety of opportunities. Many of them will come disguised as obstacles. What turns an obstacle into an opportunity is the attitude we bring to the situation. If we choose to seize the day, to embrace the obstacle as an opportunity for God to come through, we will reap the harvest; but if we shrink from the obstacle because of fear or complacency, we will lose, and even what we have may end up in the hands of someone else. Remember, “Those who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)