I’ve had reason to wonder lately whether there is a ceiling to my talent and (shudder) whether I have reached it.
It wasn’t during my most optimistic week. I was trying new things and not meeting joyous success. Maybe you can relate.
From a more optimistic perspective, the ceiling is a myth. Our development is open-ended. How far we take it is only limited by time, how much time we put into it, and finally our time ending.
That’s the positive side.
On the other side, there are limits, starting with the inherent quantity of our gifting at birth.
It’s in Jesus’ parable of the talents that I find both truths: “limits” and “non-limits.”
You remember the story. Before going away the master gave out talents; to one he gave five, to another two, to the third, one.
The first two doubled the investments and were rewarded for their faithfulness. By inference, so could have the third but, making excuses, didn’t.
One of his excuses could have been, “I sensed there was a ceiling.”
The fact is, maybe there was.
Note the small phrase at the beginning of the story where the master divvied out the talents “according to their abilities.”
Ceilings! The one-talent person would never be able to perform at the level of the two-talent person, or the two at the level of the five.
On the other hand, neither would they be judged against the other person, but only against their own potential.
And likely, with enough time, even that potential would never be reached.
In other words, even if there are ceilings, it doesn’t matter. There’s always more to explore and do within the confines of our own room.
There’s still plenty of headroom.
So, back to work.
You too.
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Matthew 25:14-30
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:26 am
I think too often we stop at “given their abilities” and do not try to develop what the Lord has given to us and call it quits way too soon. I do not believe there is a “ceiling” to our talents and we keep developing throughout our lives.
10:34 am
Thanks Hyatt!
It seems the most difficult ceilings to remove are the ones we build ourselves….and I have found
that they become harder to tear down over time. I didn’t know I had such a knack for construction.Great post!
10:52 am
Thanks Hyatt. A good word and it struck me more than some do.
11:15 am
Great words, Hyatt…. I never thought of the parable in this way, and it opens up a whole new truth– that it’s more about what we do with what we’re given, than about how much we are given. This takes away all the excuses for not being talented enough! Thanks again for turning on the light!
11:58 am
You. Continually amaze and peak my interest in your subjects. I love reading your blogs
And thank you.
1:04 pm
Certainly, self-imposed (constructed) ceilings are my biggest challenge, and I would imagine the same is true for most of us. It is interesting to think about the wide discrepancy in abilities that is handed out by the master builder. I have often complained that I was on the short end of talents received when it comes to creativity. What do you think pleases God more, when we get close to our potential in areas of strength, or develop areas that we are naturally lacking in?
Thanks for the stimulating words Hyatt.
7:36 pm
These thoughts are stirring, Hyatt. The voices of media, our past, our peers, all seem to “put us in our place” and limit us, on many if not all levels. The issue is to know the One who made us, and know that he loves the intended-us. As shipwrecked as we may be in this life, he’s not forgotten that original blueprint of the perfect “me” and, furthermore, is committed to restoring me to that joyous, full person more and more each day as I walk down life’s path together with Him. Thanks for a fresh second-look at this parable
1:08 am
Good to hear that it happens even to talented you! Yes, just keep at it! This situation is one that occurs —- most probably—in everyone’s lives! Thank you! Lisa
3:17 pm
I felt as if I hit my head on the ceiling in regard to my art ability this week!
Very frustrating. And, yes, there is the matter of time, and perseverance.
So, I guess I could remove my head from the ceiling, stoop down over my work and begin again!
Thanks for the encouragement! And, I love how scripture brings conviction!
9:28 am
Absolutely wonderful, Hyatt! Also wonderful are the comments from all of your admirers. Thank you!