Talents and distance

What is it in our lives that keeps us from getting closer to God? What's in that space between us and God? There are all sorts of theological answers, I suppose, but theology is not the answer here. The answer lies within each of us – is it fear, or is it laziness? Is it our self-loathing, or is it mistrust? Maybe it is doubt and cynicism born from the failures of the past. Or maybe we're just tired of making the effort. I think that distance is unique to each of us, and it relates directly to today's Gospel reading.

Today's Gospel is the one that motivates Type A's and disheartens Type B's. It's great to hear it when you feel good about your walk with God, and it can be depressing when you're feeling down. It's the one about the master who leaves, giving each of his three servants some money – talents. Two of the servants do things to increase the amount of money they can give back to the master, while the third is afraid of losing it and simply hides it until the master's return. When the master returns he rewards the two who increased his money, and punished the one who hid the money.

So what's the lesson here? If we don't do something with our talents then God will punish us? What happened to God's unconditional love? I think the lesson is different.

The third servant was afraid of what would happen if he lost the money, and that fear is what kept him distant from the master. Fear is what was in that distance between him and God. That distance is both a result of our separation from God and and an obstacle that keeps us from living our lives in ways that bring us closer to God. And the more we are distant from God, the worse it feels. What is going to tip that balance?

Faith, grace, something that we can recognize and know that God is with us - something small like that can be the grain of sand that tips the balance, that turns us from the downward spiral to an upward one. When those moments come, we need to take a small step outside our comfort zone, and turn them into something positive. As we do that, I think we will get to know God better and whatever keeps us distant will disappear.

Comments

[Patrick]

Hi Steve.

That most feared four letter word. FEAR. Many times in his Ministry Jesus invited and encouraged the disciples and people generally to move away from fear. It is a very strong motivator, usually though it prevents us from receiving fully the message of God's Unconditional Love. Like the man given the one talent so often I let my thinking of and about fear prevent me from enjoying the moment and God's love that is always in the NOW.

Fear of what could have been or what might be in the future takes our focus away from the present moment and God's Presence here. We need to relax and let go the fear of whatever prevents us from enjoying being Loved Unconditionnalluy by our Creator, our Loving Father and Mother.

When our eyes and thoughts are drawn to God's Love, all fear is cast out. We need each other to encourage each other and stand fast when the storm waters rise and the wind is howling in our ears. We need to hear those words "Be not afraid, it is I". And fear will be sent packing with no reward.

"Lord let me be your Word to someone who needs to hear it today". Patrick

[Victor]

Very beautiful Wordly Thoughts Steve and Patrick.

All I can add at this time is "Welcome Back" Steve.

God's Love truly is unconditional!

Peace

[ms]

i have been wondering this myself for some time ... i think it may all be of and from fear but also that to just say "fear" is to take the easy way. From where comes the fear? If I can be homest about that then perhaps the distance will decrease, not only with god but with people in general which i have been led to believe are a great source of god awareness, etc.
Perhaps if you don't mind I will copy your post to my blog and address there in more detail so i don't take up lots of your space here

[Steve Bogner]

Hi all - Well, fear is one obstacle but by no means the only one! I think that obstacle, that distance can be very specific to the individual.

ms - Please quote and expand on this! That woul dbe a great way to take the discussion further :)

[ms]

however it was you came upon my blog I say thankyou -- you are the first to comment on anything and so far as I know the only one who ever read anything there ...
its pretty neat to go post and find someone actually read something and commented!!!

[KiwiNomad]

Thanks for this thought-provoking post steve. (Long time no hear!) I am sure to re-read and ponder it.

[Steve Bogner]

ms - You are very welcome. If you want, when you leave a comment here you can put your blog's address in the 'URL:' box and then others will be able to click on it and go to your blog.

Hi Kiwi - Well, it is nice to be back. Glad my post was able to provoke something positive!

[Mark W.]

Seems to fit along with this prayer on trust.

[ms]

Fear -- of what was, of what might have been, of what might not be.... Or maybe that's the easy answer.

[Steve]

Sometimes I find myself wondering what heaven will be like: what it will be like to be in God's presence completely, fully -- if I am fortunate enough to make it there, that is! When I consider that (as incomprehensible as that is, really) I begin to think, why wait -- why not draw closer to God now. Don't wait for tomorrow or next week or fifty years from now to experience God's kingdom. Yet, the next day and the next week, I end up spending far less time in prayer than I intended.

How humbling to think that God Almighty wants to spend time with us -- us! -- this very minute. Yet I often do not make the time to invite God in. Perhaps it's that simple. Maybe I need to start praying, in my own, broken way, that I will feel more of a desire to enter into prayerful relationship with God. Maybe that's a place to start, with the desire to desire God more.