God has lovingly and graciously endowed each person with treasures and unique skills and abilities to cultivate and unfold in our life and in the world. Life itself is a gift to accept with gratitude and purpose. Whether it is one thing or many things, God wants us to live with joy and purpose.

One person's bag of gold may be a passion for teaching, another's may be a love for gardening, and still another a talent for a particular art or sport. Whatever it is that we possess, are we nurturing our own talents or gifts well? Do we even know what they are? Sometimes we need to take time to explore what makes us feel passionate, curious, and happy. Then we can make an effort to practice and develop it and find our own creative expression of it. It does not need to be a vocation or even validated by others to have meaning. God himself is pleased when we do so.

What is disappointing to God is hiding and despising the gifts given to us. How do we view the life we are given? Do we compare with others' gifts or think that God does not treasure what little we can offer? Little or different, we must cultivate what God has given us with love and care.


Application: Lord, you are the creator of my life. Help me to be faithful to cultivate the gifts and abilities you have given me with a sense of joy and purpose.
One Word: Good and faithful