The associate pastor at our church preached a terrific message yesterday about the 'Little Drummer Boy.' While it was out of the natural season, being July and not December (Christmas), it had an applicable message for this Spiritual season.

Most of us are familiar with the Parable of the Talents told in Matthew 25:14-30. We know that the man gave talents to his three servants, each according to their ability. Two of the servants traded with others and made profits. The master commended them. However, the third servant, claiming fear, buried his talent.

While the master didn't buy the servant's lie, I did at one time; I thought "Aw, he was afraid" and felt sorry for the servant. However, now I know the truth: If the servant believed the master was a hard man and was really afraid of him, don't you think the servant would have obeyed that master?

The master chastised the third servant, took the talent away he had given him and gave it to the first servant, who had used his talents profitably.

Our associate pastor contrasted the behavior of that third servant with the Little Drummer Boy. According to the song, the boy didn't have a gift to bring to the baby Jesus:

Little baby

Pa rum pum pum pum

I am a poor boy too

Pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring

Pa rum pum pum pum

That's fit to give our king

However, instead of devaluing the opportunity, he looked at the ability he had:

Shall I play for you

Pa rum pum pum pum

And he matched his ability with the opportunity:

I played my drum for him

Pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for him

Pa rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum,

Rum pum pum pum

And he brought glory to the Lord:

Then he smiled at me

Pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum

I loved that sermon and when I woke up this morning, this formula was in my head:

Ability + Opportunity = Glory

So many people miss out on bringing glory (honor and praise) to God because they devalue the abilities they have or the opportunities they receive.

The third servant had the opportunity to bring his master honor and praise. And he had the talent, which is a measurement of value. But instead of seeing the talent as something to be invested, he hid it away.

People of God, we all have something of value. Are you using your time, talents, money, Spirit, body, whatever you have...to bring glory to the Lord?

Or are you hiding behind your past, using excessive eating, drinking, spending, etc. to dull the pain?

That is not what God wants for you. You are more than your pain:

"'You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).'"

The Bible says: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10)."

In this case, fear means reverence, honor, and respect. If past pain is consuming you, then present that pain as an offering to the Lord. Here is a prayer for you.

Pray, "Lord, use my Life for your Glory. I don't have much. I can't see past this pain into the future You have for me. So what I have, I give it to you. Take my pain. It is my offering.

In Isaiah 61:3, Your word says that You can console those who mourn and give them the oil of joy, beauty for ashes, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I believe Your word.

I want to one of your trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that You may be glorified. So take my pain and turn it into something beautiful for you."

Don't continue to let past pain, fear, or doubt rob you of the opportunity to glorify our God in this season. Whatever you have, offer it up to Him. I believe He will take what you give to Him and make something beautiful out of it so that He may be glorified. 

Kimberly Taylor

Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com