Monday, 28 April 2008

• Parable of the Talents: Week 1

  by mr. oak

  
  So this past Sunday, the seeds have been planted to live the parable of the talents.  Last week I talked about this idea that you can read here: http://weblog.revelife.com/revelife/653669380/testing-the-parable-of-the-talents.html

  Basically, on Saturday night I took a trip to the local bank and pulled out about $600 in cash.  Although this is probably the most i've pulled out from an atm at one time, I was surprised just how little it looked...yet at the same time, how heavy it felt.  not heavy in weight per se, but the gravity of the lessons to this - already God was testing me as I wondered (and began to doubt) if this was a smart idea.  Nevertheless, i stashed the cash in my pocket and walked home.

  and Sunday came...there were about 27 kids today (little less than our usual 30.)  We're a small church but with so many HUGE hearts... Most of these kids come from different backgrounds - most were raised in immigrant families, half were born here.  Some come from broken homes, others come from affluent grounds.  We have the popular kids, the jocks, the nerds, and silent types...the angry girl, to the smart alec....in the end, they all miraculously got along under the same roof of a small church. 

  Sunday worship began, and the praise team, completely composed of these kids, praised their heart out just like they always did.  We had a guest speaker that day, who talked about God's plan in their lives...and we began to wrap up the service with prayer and then announcements.  That's when i approached the podium and asked every kid to open up their bibles.

  Matthew 25...parable of the talents.

  I spoke about this before (when i was asked to share my testimony) and they all nodded that they remembered the message (which btw is one of the greatest feelings when the students you teach show that they actually retained some of it.)  that's when i reached in my pocket and flashed the fan of cash in my hands.

  "This is your time..."

  All of their eyes opened up wide...I'm guessing that most of these kids have never seen this much cash in their life. 

  "Now is the time to see what talents you have and use them for something good."

  i explained that every penny raised will be used to help raise money for a conference the church wanted to attend.  It was clear that some kids could not afford to go...so this was our time to help them make it this year.  afterall, a retreat wouldn't be the same unless everyone came along.

  immediately, all the kids began to chatter....some asked for clarification on the task, otherwise, sat there looking up in space wondering what they would do.

  I asked them to come up to the podium and take their money....

  but something unexpected happened....nobody budged. 

  i was devastated....nobody wanted to do it.  maybe it was just too much responsibility...maybe they thought it was a trap...maybe i stirred up all their insecurities in one dumb move...

  when suddenly, steve and his sister got up and approached the podium...and took the first 20s. then it was angela, then david, then andrew....and it continued.  they all started lining up.... some were hesitant, some decided to sit out...in the end, most took...but all wondered. 

  "what talents do i have?" some thought...while others already started to come up with ideas.

  "i'll sell water at the park!"

  "i know how to make paper cranes..think someone would buy those?"

  "i'll make t-shirts!"

  and the youth group continued to chatter.... one girl asked to meet up with a teacher for a lesson in jewelry making.  others began to pool their money together to work together... one even asked to borrow a guitar to sing on the streets... all the while i stood there amazed at what was already happening.

  and so it began....they have 4 weeks and we all agreed give updates every week on their respective progress.  the seed has been planted and already i'm seeing the fruits being made...God is good.  all the time.  more updates to follow...

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