“I’m afraid he doesn’t have the work ethic and passion for the game to progress at the next level,” said Mike Mayock, color analyst for the NFL Network. He was speaking of a rookie with unlimited upside who was squandering his opportunity to be “something special.”
This player wasn’t willing to work to be the best. Whatever was required–time, sacrifice, hard work, deligence–he wouldn’t give.
How sad for this to be said of an NFL player. Think about it. This player gets to do what thousands of boys–and grown men–dream about. Why would you waste the one opportunity that you have to follow your dream? Why would you miss what you worked to achieve? And, most importantly, why would you waste a gift?
As awful as Mike Mayock’s words about an NFL player, they are nothing compared to a pastor or Christian leader who does not work to be the most effective communicator of the Gospel and faithful disciple of the Lord.
Jesus gave us the Parable of the Talents to deal with just such a problem. He told of three men–all servants–who were given talents (actually, money in Jesus’ day) to care for. They weren’t equally talented–each one received talents according to their ability. They weren’t all expected to do the same; they were simply expected to do their best.
We can’t all be number one draft picks or Heisman winners. We don’t all have the same gifts, but we can give our best for God. The story of the Talents ends with one servant being reprimanded in the harshest terms and losing his gifts because he wouldn’t try. He is judged to be both wicked and lazy (Matthew 25:26). The other two heard the wonderful words of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25: 23).
Paul summed up this parable well when he said: ” And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). He said: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23).
There are many things that you and I can’t do; we can all give our best for God.
If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe to waylonbailey.com below. Simply type in your email address and click subscribe. It’s free and easy. When you receive a return email, confirm your desire to subscribe by clicking on the link.
Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. I would appreciate your subscribing and also forwarding this and other posts to your friends. Thanks for your help and support.