Wicked and Lazy

It is good to stop and take a look at what you are doing and why. I’ve been going full-speed for awhile and haven’t made time to reflect, evaluate, and process the investments I’m making in life.

There is a story told by Jesus of a Master who entrusted things of value with three of his servants. He took a trip and while he was away, two of the servants valued what had been uniquely entrusted to them and in doing so, created more value. The third servant took his gift, hid it, and waited for the master’s return. Upon his return, the master went to each servant to see what they had done. He found much pleasure in the first two who valued what they had been entrusted with and rewarded them even more. But the third servant let him down. Not so much because his failure to increase the value of his gift but rather because he didn’t even try. In the Master’s words, he was “wicked and lazy”.

I wonder which servant I am. I have been given much and entrusted with much. Am I wicked and lazy? Have I been agressive about increasing the value of that which has been given to me? Honestly, no. On the other hand, I don’t think I’ve buried it. Mostly, I think I’ve turned it over and over again in my hands wondering what I should do with it and where I can get the biggest return. In the meantime, it isn’t increasing in value which translates to wicked and lazy.

I can process things to death and as a result, I’m slow to action. There comes a time when you have to get off the couch and start trying things without trying to have it all figured out or estimating what the value will be of the outcome. I came across a great, anonymous quote that says, “I will not tiptoe through life, only to arrive safely at death.” I feel like I’ve done a lot of tiptoeing in my life. For a variety of reasons. Not wanting to step on toes. Not wanting to fall on my face. Not sure of the next step to take. Walking this journey with my eyes focused on the ground only means that I’m missing the journey. I want to run through the fields, swing through the trees, jump off the cliffs. I want death to have to try and catch me.

Jesus did not go through the pain and eventual death of the crucifixion for us to cower in a gated corner until we die. He died so that we will boldly walk through this life that we’ve been given, not with a spirit of timidity but of power and love. He died so that we would take the gift of life that He has entrusted to each of us and increase its value.

What am I doing today that matters? What did I do today that brought Light into this world? Where and in whom did I invest and where and whom did I squander?

What about you? What do you want to change or do differently so you aren’t tiptoeing through your one and only life?

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48