GOD WITHIN

Before he left on his journey, he entrusted a bag of five thousand gold coins to one of his servants, to another a bag of two thousand gold coins, and to the third a bag of one thousand gold coins, each according to his ability to manage.

Matthew 25:15 TPT

There’s something about the human heart that craves new things. Whether it’s the latest gadget, a fresh wardrobe, or an opportunity we’ve been eyeing, there’s an inherent longing in us for something more.

But have you ever noticed how that longing, when left unchecked, can lead to covetousness, envy, and restlessness? If not addressed, this desire for "new" can cause us to miss the beauty and purpose of what we already have, especially the gifts and talents God has given us.

A personal experience from yesterday made me reflect on the parable of the talents from the book of Matthew. Here goes the story;

I couldn’t find my newest hoodie! I was certain I had hung it on the wardrobe the night before, but when I went to grab it, it was nowhere to be found. My first thought? My brother must have taken it. After all, he had mentioned liking it before. So, I texted him and while I waited for his reply, I grew restless.

Now, here’s the thing—I hadn’t even planned to wear the hoodie that day. Yet, as soon as I realized it was missing, I felt an overwhelming need to have it. The idea that my brother might have taken it without asking alone stirred up frustration in me.

I decided to search through the wardrobe again, just to be sure. As I searched through my brother's side, I found his own hoodie neatly folded. And then a thought hit me: "Why would he take mine when his is right here?" Ah well.

I continued my search, this time on my side of the wardrobe. And guess what? I found my brother's hoodie mixed in with my things. I had borrowed it last week, worn it, and hadn’t even bothered to return it to its proper place. Seeing his hoodie made me pause.

Here I was, ready to be upset with my brother for something I had done myself. The irony of the situation humbled me. It made me realize how easy it is to justify our own actions while condemning others for the very same thing.

Here I was, getting myself worked up over a hoodie—something I hadn't even planned to wear. Yet, I had convinced myself that I needed it in that moment. As I reflected on this experience, the parable of the talents came to mind. As to how what I went through and the parable relate, I can only thank the Holy spirit for daily insights! I had never thought about that parable this way, before.

In case you don’t know the parable, here’s a summary. In Mathew 25, Jesus tells of a master who entrusts his servants with talents—each according to their ability. One servant receives five talents, another two, and the last one talent.

The first two servants invest their talents and see them multiply, but the third servant buries his talent out of fear. When the master returns, he praises the first two for their faithfulness but rebukes the third for wasting the opportunity given to him.

As I read and then thought more and more about this story in relation to my situation I wondered, how often do we, like the third servant, look at what others have and think, "If only I had that, then I could do more, be better, or feel happier.”? How often do we compare our gifts, our opportunities, and our circumstances to those around us, and in doing so, lose sight of the uniqueness of our situations?

God knows what we are capable of. He didn’t distribute talents randomly—He gave each one of us exactly what we need to fulfill our purpose. The family we’re in, the education we’ve received, the experiences we’ve had—God knew we could handle it. He created us with specific abilities, and it’s up to us to manage those talents wisely.

In my case, I became so fixated on the idea of needing that hoodie that it was as if that was the only cloth I had and if I didn’t wear it that day, something bad was going to happen to me. Completely overlooking all the other clothes, I have and even forgetting that a few weeks ago, I did not have that hoodie.

Just like the servant who buried his talent, I was caught up in wanting something I didn’t even truly need, rather than focusing on what was already within my reach. The lesson here is simple: stop looking outside for what lies within.

You haven’t finished exploring the potential God has placed in you, why waste time envying what others have? Don’t be like the foolish servant who buried his talent out of fear or dissatisfaction. What you have is enough!

God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your purpose and as you diligently use what he has given you now, you’ll marvel at how he’ll multiply it. Don’t be discouraged by what you can’t do right now. It’s all part of the process.

However, if you bury your talent, you’ll never know what it could have produced. If you keep looking outside for validation or fulfillment, you’ll neglect the incredible potential that’s already within you.

God’s plan for each of us is unique. He has entrusted us with specific talents according to our abilities, and it’s our responsibility to nurture and grow them. So, instead of longing for what others have, focus on what you’ve always had.

And oh, my brother never took the hoodie and when I did find it, I realised I did not really want to wear it, afterall (Wasted emotions and time, haha). Don't be like me.

Walk in ordered steps.

Written by Ivy Hollys