Matthew 25:24-30
“Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” vss. 24b-25
As we hear the end of the parable of the talents we can’t help but feel a bit sad for the one talent slave, the one that most of us identify with most closely. We wish that the master could have been a little more understanding, that there could have been a bit more grace in the judgement. When we are told in the story that the slave was afraid, and that his fear was what kept him from investing his talent, our empathy increases. Many of us battle that same demon as we struggle to live as God intends. It’s a paralyzing existential fear that comes from deep inside and it serves to keep us on the sidelines even as others excel and prosper. Rather than living boldly and taking risks, we hide our talent, doing everything we can to avoid failure. We think that by burying our aspirations and dreams we can find peace in the safety and comfort of unshakeable routines. Of course such tactics seldom give the results we crave. Instead we’re plagued with bitterness and frustration as we inevitably deal with thoughts of what might have been. Blessed are those who overcome their fears by daring to fail. Even their failures will be rewarded!
Thought for the Day: When have I been rewarded in failure?
0 Comments