As December comes to a close, many of us will soon be taking down our Christmas decorations. The nativity scenes will be carefully wrapped and stored away. Every year, as I unpack our nativity scenes, a thought crosses my mind: “Am I putting Jesus in a box in my own life?” Seriously, is Jesus just a seasonal decoration that we only pull out at Christmas time?
While reflecting on the Parable of the King’s Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-27), certain phrases really stood out to me, prompting some important questions.
In verse 11, it says the crowd was “listening to everything Jesus said.” I found myself underlining “listening to” and circling “everything Jesus said.” This made me wonder: Are we truly listening to all that Jesus is saying, or do we selectively pick and choose the parts that fit our lives at the moment?
In the parable, the king entrusts equal amounts of silver to his servants, expecting them to invest wisely while he is away. This story serves as a moral guide for how we should handle the talents God has given us as we await His Second Coming. Are we using these talents to invest in others, share Jesus, and fulfill His will? Will you hear the words “Well done!” or “You wicked servant!” When one servant claimed to have “hid the money and kept it safe” in verse 20, it made me think: Are you playing it safe in your relationship with Jesus? Be bold. Use your gifts for His glory.
As we enter the new year, ensure that you’re not keeping Jesus—or your talents—figuratively locked away.
I encourage you to pray daily, asking God to help you utilize your gifts to glorify Him. Make it a priority to listen to what the Lord is teaching you through His Word, discovering how He wants us to live.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
(Featured photo: Mine and Tim’s birthdays are in December. Each year we enjoying gathering the whole family together to go to a nice restaurant. This year was Donatello Italian Restaurant in Tampa. When you depart, they give the ladies a long stem red rose. It was a fabulous meal with my best of friends…I LOVE my family!)
Tim, me, Sierra, Hunter, Holly, Emma, and Cole.