We are a blessed people…a very gifted people. All of our gifts come from a loving God, freely given, undeserved and unmerited.
 
But what are we to do with our gifts?
 
Our gospel today makes it clear that we are expected to give back.  But more than simply giving back what we have received, we are to grow, to cultivate the gifts given to us. We are to work with the gifts and improve them. Then and only then, are we expected to take the gifts given to us and use them for the greater glory of God.
 
The talents mentioned in our gospel are a form of currency but Jesus is not speaking of our money but our gifts, if you will, our skills and our talents.  It’s these aspects that make us special and give meaning to our lives.
 
There are many different talents, some more obvious than others:  musical ability, a wonderful speaker, teacher, lawyer, clergy, athlete, businessman, architect…the list goes on and on.  Some talents are less obvious: being a good listener, possessing a quiet, humble generosity or compassionate spirit.
 
Some seem to have been blessed with many talents while others struggle to recognize their gift and what God is calling them to do.
 
God created each of us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He has a specific and particular plan for each us. And that plan, that dream, is built around our gifts. God is not going to ask us to serve, to do something for which he has not equipped us.
 
When we recognize and use our talents as God intended, we can become the people God desires us to be.
 
You would think that our particular talents would be obvious to us but that isn't always the case. Many fail to see their God given talents, even when recognized by others, and as a result their talents lie wasted. That is why it is vitally important that we ask God what is his plan for us.
 
God: What do You want me to do?

Then we must listen… silently listen… listen with faith.
 
We must seek what God wants us to do...not what we want to do.
 
Our perception of our gifts and how we are to use them may be different from God's reality. As I stated before, God isn't going to ask us to do something that he hasn't given us the skills to accomplish. God is not going to set us up for failure. He wants us to succeed.
 
The third servant in the gospel did fail but it was because he didn’t use the talents given to him. Less was expected of him than the others. His bar for success was much lower than the others. Yet despite this he buried his talents out of fear.
 
We must pray not only for insight but for strength and ask God to remove all fear and anxiety that may prevent us from fully using our gifts and realizing our potential.
 
We must use our God given gifts, our talents, to bring us into a closer relationship with God and to edify his Kingdom on this earth.
 
Our gifts are different and vary in degree. One size does not fit all. One person can't do it all. It takes a community, working together with a diversity of talents to accomplish God’s will here on earth.
 
Jesus’ point in his parable is that we shouldn’t bury our talents, our gifts, but exercise them to the fullest. But in using our talents we must prayerfully discern God’s will. Where is he leading us?
 
It is impossible to discuss our gifts of talent without discussing time and treasure. To those who much is given, much is expected.
 
If you find yourself at a state in your life where you are blessed with the triple T’s you should give from your abundance.
 
Our gifts are much like the talents given to the three servants. They do not belong to us but are entrusted to us to do God's will.
 
God’s blessings to all,
Deacon Kerry