And honestly, the gardens in real life don't match the pictures in my head.....yet. I have a lot of weeding and mulching to do, and gardens are much prettier later in the season once everything is growing big.
(the beginning of an herb bed)
I was reading in Matthew 25 today about the parable of the talents, and it struck hard. In this parable, Jesus shared how each person got varying amounts of talents to go use. Each person used those talents in different ways that payed off to varying degrees. The only person who was rebuked was the person who hid in fear and did nothing with the talents given to him.
The point in the parable wasn't a comparison of who accomplished the most, or who did the coolest things. But rather the point was.....we each are accountable to do something with the gifts and opportunities God gives us.
There are so many things I wish I was better at. I'm limited in time, ability, and resources. But to sit and do nothing, because my talents won't turn out as good as someone else's is a waste of the talents I've been given. Jesus isn't asking for us to accomplish a certain success rate, He's asking for us to serve in the areas around us and to use the talents we've been given. The results are his, the willingness to be used is ours.
Honestly, I live overwhelmed due to all the dreams we have. Sometimes I wonder what we signed up for and I (for a brief moment) wish we could live simply on packaged dinners in a small apartment with zero maintenance. Not to speak badly of those seasons. There is a season for each type of living.
Do you know why I feel overwhelmed? It's because I didn't sign up for something that I knew I could do on my own. I can't do it. I'm always praying for God's blessing on what I plant for I have no control of weather and germination. Jesus gave us the dream.......and I said 'yes'. He knew I have limited talents and I'm filled with struggles and issues. But I signed up for His project (so it's bigger than me). The results are up to Him. My job is just to offer my talents and show up for work.
In Matthew 24:45 and 46 it says, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing." He told me "Feed people spiritually and physically." I want to be found doing that.
I submit to you, that if you offer your talents back to the one who gave them to you......the results will amaze you. It's like planting a seed. When I stick that green bean seed in the ground, it's so small and it wouldn't feed anything except a mouse. But when I plant it, it grows into a thriving plant sufficient to feed a person.
We can't do everything......but we are accountable to do something with what God has given us and to serve where God has placed us.
Happy gardening,
Felicia
