Dig Up Your Treasure Chest

I heard the Parable of Talents as a child, but it didn't sink in until I was a teenager. I made a vow to use 5 talents: singing, dancing, art, writing and acting. I pursued all of those while in college because I had the youthful energy for them. I sang in my school choir, co-captained the pom pon squad, drew portraits, was editor of the school newspaper, and acted in school plays.

But when I reached adulthood, I lost my energy because I refused to search for outlets to use the talents God gave me. It was like I buried them like the jealous servant who was given only one talent because he was ticked off at the two servants who were given more. The only talent I kept at for the past 20+ years is writing, and even that I buried.

It didn't dawn on me until recently that I'm putting all talents to use in church by helping out with children's ministries. I volunteered for the ministries because I wanted my kids to participate. When they asked for help, I said "Yes!" right away not knowing if I still had the talents or the energy to employ them. I recalled from acting classes that talent is not nearly as important as energy. You have energy first and then earn the talent.

So, like a servant who learned her lesson, I'm digging up this one talent so that I may go out and earn the rest back. If anyone has lost their energy for doing what they love, then I suggest grabbing a shovel and dig up what you've buried in the back yard.