LIVING UP TO OUR FULL POTENTIAL

In the Bible Jesus told a story of three servants who were given various amounts of money to use or invest on behalf of their master.  Two of the servants doubled the amount they were given and the third did nothing.  We don't know if he was jealous of the others who were given more than he received or if he held resentment against the master because of his high expectations, or a bit of both.  The bottom line is, he didn't do anything with what he had been given. When the master came back, his condemnation of the man was not that he hadn't earned as much as the others but that he was lazy and had not done anything with what he had been given.  (Matthew 25)

We may compare ourselves with others who had a better life, a better education, or better prospects than we ever had when we were growing up.  In comparing our circumstances with theirs, we may feel sorry for ourselves and angry at the world that seems to have deprived us of a good life.  God has given each of us gifts and opportunities that we can use to serve one another and experience a fulfilled life.  What have we chosen to do with what we have been given? 

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (1 Peter 4:10 NIRV, Ephesians 5:16-17 NLT)

Some people compare themselves with others and because they easily manage to do more than what they see others do, they choose not to do all that they could.  God knows what each of us is capable of.  To do less than we can is to be guilty of being lazy.  God made us to experience satisfaction when we fully use the gifts and opportunities we have been given.  Each of us will be accountable for what we have been given.

Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.  Even more will be asked of the person who is supposed to take care of much.  (Luke 12:48 NIRV) 

Each day is a gift and an opportunity.  What are we going to do with the gift of today that God has given us?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of my life and for the opportunities I have been given.  Each day help me to do all I can to faithfully serve You and others.  Amen