Daily Worship

Dealer takes all

Dave Close June 27, 2014 0 0

Matthew 25: 15-30

To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[b] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“Carrie, you’re on my mind lots.
You have so much going on just now… pain and more pain,
being accused of something you’re not,
so wronged and hurt, stress and panic, let down by friends.
I hope for peace, peace, hope, freedom.”

“Carrie, I’m amazed by your productivity, motivation, energy,
enthusiasm, want to better yourself, willingness to seize
opportunities. To use the cards you’re dealt.”

Lord, when I bemoan my situation, when I bitch and blameshift,
when I believe I can’t do anything because of what’s on my plate…
help me to remember the hand Carrie was dealt, tougher than mine, 
and remember the determination and hope kindled in her to play it
and play it well.

Help me to remember that you’re not a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown,
but a redeemer, multiplying growth everywhere,
harvesting anywhere because you have sown everywhere.
What’s been handed to me can feel like the least likely place for growth
but you grow everywhere and harvest everywhere.

Help me to take what’s mine today and put it to use, somehow,
even in the smallest way, and so go with you on the growing, transforming, harvesting way.

 

Dave Close, Hot Chocolate Trust