Do you see that both passages refer to the abilities or strength that God provides. Often as a person with chronic illnesses, I attempt to give beyond my limitations, my God-given limitations and resources. God gave us what we need to fulfill His purposes. He does not give us what others have, but what we need to perform His purpose.
In recent years, God brought th lesson home to me through serving in the church music ministry. It all started one day as the other musicians finished playing.
I froze inside. They had asked me to begin playing offertories in church. I had only been attending this church for a few months. True, I wanted to get involved, but my piano playing ability is average. Soon, I began to do the comparison game in my mind. While I can play advanced pieces, it takes me a very long time to learn anything new. Others call these pieces easy. Others can play new pieces quickly by sight reading. Others do not have piano playing ability hampered by brain damage from a stroke. Others have taken lessons for many decades; I for a short six years. Others in the church have professional experience; mine is amateur. Others do not seem to have a near panic attack prior to playing every single time. Others do not have difficulty with chronic illnesses which can lead to being undependable no matter how faithful I wish to be. The comparisons played on in my mind.
For several months, I timidly played one offertory a month. Throughout this time, the other musicians were nothing but encouraging! Then one day, we had the following passages in our adult Life Group:
Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’
21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
22 “Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’
23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
24 “Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’
26 “But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered,27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.
28 “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Consider 1 Peter 4:11, "11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
Ouch. My focus had been in the wrong place. I should have been looking at the ability God gave me and simply investing that ability for Him. I do not need to serve above that talent. I simply give that talent back to Him.
In a step of faith, I began to play more for church. As my focus shifted to God, something strange began to happen. I began to enjoy playing. Each Sunday, I began to simply play for Christ with what He laid on my heart. A dear friend committed to praying for me during each time I played and often before I would play. My playing went from a source of anxiety to a source of joy.
As this happened, I saw another aspect of the passage come true. I began to desire to increase my talent and ability for Him. My daily practice time became a gift for Him, an opportunity to invest the talent He has given. :)
Chronic illnesses can seem to be limiting. If we focus on the limitations instead of the opportunities and gifts of God, we will shy away from service. Focusing on Christ and His gifts mean using our talents as an act of worship and produce great joy!
Side note: often as a chronically ill individual, I would overdo my service to God, giving beyond what resources God had given. While burying a talent is not an appropriate response, neither is giving more than God expects. Learning both of these lessons is very freeing.
