Hidden Talents

Exodus 39:8

They fashioned the breastpiece–the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

Exodus 39:22

They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth–the work of a weaver–

The sign in the window read: "Boy Wanted". Young John Simmons, though he was lazy, saw his opportunity and applied. He was quickly hired by elderly Mr. Peters. The pace was leisurely so he enjoyed the job. Toward the middle of the afternoon however, he was sent up to the attic -- a dingy place full of cobwebs and infested with mice. "You will find a long, deep box there," explained Mr. Peters. "Please sort out the contents and see what should be saved." John was disappointed. It was a large container, and there seemed to be nothing in it but old junk. After a few minutes he went back to the ground floor. Asked by the proprietor if he had completed his work, he replied, "No, sir, it was dark and cold up there and I didn’t think it was worth doing." At closing time he was paid and told not to return.

The next morning the old sign "Boy Wanted" appeared in its usual place. Crawford Hill was the next to be employed. When he was asked to tidy up the same box, however, he spent hours separating the usable nails and screws from the things to be discarded. Suddenly, he raced down the stairs all excited. "At the very bottom I found this!" he exclaimed, holding up a 20-dollar bill. At last, the store owner had discovered a conscientious boy to whom he could entrust his business when he retired. Years later Mr. Peters said, "This young man, who is now my successor, found his fortune in a junk box!" Then, correcting himself, he added, "No, he actually found it in his mother’s Bible because he heeded the verse she made him memorize: ’He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much!’"

You may not think that your talents are useful to God. You may not be a preacher, or a singer, so it is easy to hide in the background. Just like God used the talents of a craftsman and a weaver, God can use your talents, too.

The trick is to not give up too soon. Keep trying to find ways to serve God, don’t take your talents for granted. Practice them, hone them, develop them. Then, when it is your time to shine you will be found faithful and ready!

Today’s Readings: Exodus 39,40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

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