Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Use it or Lose it.. It ‘s Either One or the Other

By Bernadine September 6, 2010 Devotion, Life, Reflection

I love to write.  I’ve been writing poems, pouring out my innermost thoughts in my journal in the form of letters to God and writing short devotions on and off since I was a teenager.  However, as much as I love to write I never wanted to share my writings. 

  I’d write a poem and then two days later read over it and decide, “there’s no way I’m going to share this.  It exposes everything I feel inside.  I don’t want anyone seeing that deeply.”

 For years I did it.  I wrote and hid it away.  The notebooks with my scribbled thoughts filled up and the amount of poems in my folder grew. 

I wrote when I was happy and I wrote when I was sad.
I wrote when I heard  sermons, read books or listened to songs that inspired me. 
Then one day I grabbed my notebook and pen and I started to write a poem, and nothing came. ..

 I tried for days and days to put a few verses together but to no avail.  Finally in frustration I cried out, “God what is wrong with me.  Why can I write?”  I heard no answer from God, which of course made me just a tad upset with Him.  But I’ve found out over the years God  answers when He pleases and in the way He chooses.

 A few days after that outburst, I was reading my Bible and happened upon this scripture…

  14“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Matthew 25:14-18

Ouch! I understood exactly what God was trying to tell me.  Use it or lose it daughter…  Since I didn’t want to be like the man who had his one talent taken away and given to another I began to look for opportunities for share my writing. That was many years ago since this happened and since then I’ve shared poems and other writings that I never thought I’d share.  However, some days it’s still a struggle for me to allow myself to be vulnerable and really share those thoughts that I thought were just between God and me.

Lord thank you for the talents that you have blessed us with.  Help us not to be like the man who buried his talent in the ground.  May we use whatever gifts you have blessed us with for the benefit of you kingdom. Amen

You can find me at my new blog Trusting Him With Today

8 thoughts on “Use it or Lose it.. It ‘s Either One or the Other”

  2. Jerri

    I enjoyed this post, and it also convicted me. I have a passion to share the insights that God gives me from His word, but have slacked off blogging during this busy season in my life. I sure don’t want to lose insights that God blesses with, I better get back to sharing!

  3. Iris

    You are so right, Bernadine. Although it might be not easy to come out of our shells, He gave us talents to share. I am glad that you are sharing your poetry and your thoughts.

  6. LaurieLaurie Adams

    Ouch. This devo really touched my heart and is exactly what God is stirring in me lately. I also love to write and God is given me this gift and I am pursuing to use it as He desires. Thanks for sharing!