Weekly devotion: A surprising encouragement from the parable of the talents
Ged and Kate Bates (and Ged’s sister, Tess) from our Welsh volunteer hub, representing Embrace at the 2023 Royal Welsh Show
This week we are lifting up our incredible volunteers in prayer. We are so thankful for each and every one of them. They bring an abundance of gifts and skills to our mission, whether that’s organising a fundraiser, telling their church family about Embrace or representing us at events. We give thanks for their dedication and compassion for the people of the Middle East, and we pray for God’s rich blessings in their lives.
Bible reading
‘The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.’
Isaiah 40:28-31
Thought
The Bible is full of examples of how small deeds can have a huge impact – the parable of the mustard seed, the boy with his loaves and fishes, the widow giving away her last coin. And then of course there is the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).
This parable may be a little uncomfortable for some of us – perhaps we can’t help feeling sorry for the servant who was only given one talent and who was condemned and sent away at the end – even though he had safely looked after and returned his master’s money.
We can imagine this servant thinking that he wouldn’t be able to make much difference with just one talent or deciding that as the others had more resources, they should be the ones to use their talents to make a difference. Why should he risk investing his talent, when he only had one? He could lose everything.
But when the servant makes excuses for why he hid his talent, the master’s response cuts straight through the servant’s excuses. He says: ‘You ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest.’
Now, we may not think much of this suggestion in 2023 (after all, bankers don’t have a great reputation today!). But perhaps these words simply allude to the fact that the servant did not have to do it all on his own. He didn’t need to have all the skills, experience or resources himself. He could work with others, and combine his one talent with others so that together they could make a difference.
This is exactly what Embrace volunteers are doing. The problems in the Middle East can feel insurmountable and we can’t help all of those who are suffering – but our volunteers are doing their bit by using the gifts and skills that God has given them. Their contributions, together with the incredible work of our partners and trust in the transformative power of God, is making a real difference.
Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you for all of the volunteers who selflessly give their time and resources to further Embrace’s mission to tackle poverty and injustice in the Middle East. We are humbled by their dedication and service; may your hand of blessing be upon them.
Thank you for the impact our volunteers have on raising awareness about our projects in the Middle East.
We pray that you would continue to raise up a new generation of volunteers for Embrace – people who love Jesus, who are compassionate, who have a heart for justice.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Interested in volunteering for Embrace?
Are you passionate about the work of Embrace? Join in the mission of the worldwide church as our partners proclaim the Good News through education, health care, refugee services, valuing creation, and speaking up for justice and human rights.
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