Matthew 14:28-29 says, "And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water'. So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus." Some people say Peter was acting out of his impulsive nature while others say he was acting out of his faith and devotion to Jesus. I think it is a little of both. Peter was being impulsive because he had obviously not thought it through carefully because when he did, his faith faltered but his faith, although imperfect, is evident in that he trusted that it was Jesus and that Jesus had the power enable him to walk on the water. Peter recognized that he was not the one in charge of water-walking...God is!
We all have a calling and God is the One who calls. We cannot choose our calling so how do we know what our calling is? First, we must recognize that we are a reflection of God's image. God works all day and we were created to work as well. (Psalm 104 is a wonderful depiction of what God does each day!)
Second, we must take our calling seriously. We should all use our gifts and talents to serve God. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all". "Arthur Miller writes that this is what lies at the heart of seven-days-a-week faith: 'It is using one's endowed giftedness to serve the world with excellence and, through that service, to love and honor God!'" We are all on a mission from God. If God's kingdom is to be manifested in earth right now, it will have to be through us. Matthew 5:13-16 tells us, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
An important question to ask ourselves is, 'Do I take my calling too lightly?'
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Choice - Part Two (Walking on Water)
Regarding our spiritual growth, if we will risk our possible brokenness and failure, our faith will grow. Our faith is like a muscle which needs to be exercised and fed in order to grow! Peter chose to step out of the boat and because he did, he has walking on water to put on his resume'. Peter's faith may have faltered, but the others who chose to stay in the boat were the real failures because they chose safety over growth. How about us? Are we willing to risk stepping out of the boat? If we will not, then we risk stagnation and an unfulfilled life full of regrets. There are a couple of questions that are worth taking a few moments to really consider. When I get to the end of my life, what will be my biggest regret? And, what can I do so that doesn't become a regret?
Matthew 25:14-30 is the account of the parable of the talents. Before a man left on a long journey, he decided to distribute his goods to three of his servants. To one, he gave five talents, to another two talents and to the other, one talent. What is interesting is that the one with five talents and the one with two talents both doubled their talents before their master's return but the one with only one talent hid his talent and did nothing with it. His excuse was fear of the master but the master was not impressed with that reply. Sometimes we allow fear to keep us from being faithful but our excuse is not any more acceptable to God than the servant in this parable. Maybe this servant played the comparison game that we sometimes play. He may have thought I don't have what they have or I can't do what they can do so I will do nothing. Scripture tells us in verses 26-30, "But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gathered where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Ortberg makes several profound statements in his book, "Therefore our lives are not about self-preservation and fulfillment, but are to be acts of stewardship. To fail to be good stewards of what God has given us is a form of robbing him."
"You may feel that , from a human perspective, what you have to offer doesn't count for much, that it will never be very visible or dramatic. Jesus made it clear: There is no truth in such a perspective. We serve the Lord of the Gift."
"He can take what you have to offer and make a difference that matters for eternity. You have no idea what your potential is. For there is no reward like the reward of the opened gift."
Matthew 25:14-30 is the account of the parable of the talents. Before a man left on a long journey, he decided to distribute his goods to three of his servants. To one, he gave five talents, to another two talents and to the other, one talent. What is interesting is that the one with five talents and the one with two talents both doubled their talents before their master's return but the one with only one talent hid his talent and did nothing with it. His excuse was fear of the master but the master was not impressed with that reply. Sometimes we allow fear to keep us from being faithful but our excuse is not any more acceptable to God than the servant in this parable. Maybe this servant played the comparison game that we sometimes play. He may have thought I don't have what they have or I can't do what they can do so I will do nothing. Scripture tells us in verses 26-30, "But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gathered where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Ortberg makes several profound statements in his book, "Therefore our lives are not about self-preservation and fulfillment, but are to be acts of stewardship. To fail to be good stewards of what God has given us is a form of robbing him."
"You may feel that , from a human perspective, what you have to offer doesn't count for much, that it will never be very visible or dramatic. Jesus made it clear: There is no truth in such a perspective. We serve the Lord of the Gift."
"He can take what you have to offer and make a difference that matters for eternity. You have no idea what your potential is. For there is no reward like the reward of the opened gift."
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