My daughter went with a group of her friends to sing carols at a local nursing home this evening. I appreciate her willingness to serve others in this manner. I also appreciate that not every one of us can do exactly what she is doing. Perhaps there is one girl in the group who sings with gusto, though the notes are off-key. Perhaps there is another who is too shy to sing but hangs back and holds the hand of a nearby resident. Perhaps there is another who baked cookies to share with those they are visiting. No matter what they bring to the mix each girl is capable of great good.
Every individual is given different blessings and talents. With those blessings comes the responsibility, and additional blessings, related to sharing them with others.
In the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:12-30, each servant is entrusted with a specific set of talents. He is charged with their care. The master did not specify what that care should entail; he simply bestowed the gift and allowed the servants to choose their path. Some chose more wisely than others and were rewarded accordingly.
It may not always be easy to identify our talents immediately, but we have each been blessed with a measure of them from Heavenly Father. That is why I would encourage you to look back at the example of the girls at the nursing home. Searching for talents can feel fruitless if we are searching for them with the wrong intent.
Talents are given to us to glorify Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they are given to us as a means of blessing the lives of others, for becoming more like the Savior through our actions, not to seek out the prestige and honor of the world. Thus, many valuable talents, such as reaching out to hold a hand, are overlooked while we search for something more grand and public.
Concentrate on the types of service opportunities you see around you everyday. What unique ability or insight can you bring to the situation? When we seek to serve first, we will find our abilities matched to the need. As we serve we discover our divine talents, we expand and develop them. We obtain further abilities.
So, the next time the master leaves you with a small token of your value to Him, use it wisely. Find the ways He would have you share that blessing with those around you and watch love grow.
