Is one mina enough?

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963


I thought this a fitting beginning since this is Martin Luther King Day.  I think we all know and agree that the storms of life definitely separate the wheat from the chafe in people as well as grain.  You find out what you are made of during those storms.  You find out who your friends are during those storms.  You find what matters the most to you during those storms.  Most importantly, you find out where you are with God during those storms.  


I think about the Parable of the Minas in Luke19.  No, not the parable of the Talents in Matthew 23, but really the Parable of the Minas.  What is a mina?  Well, it is not the southern pronunciation of miner.  It is actually a measure of coins, just like the talent.  The talent, however, is much larger. A talent was like a years wage.   From what I have read,  a talent is about sixty minas.  In both cases, coins were given to servant who in fact had a choice to make.  I am sure upon their Master putting the coins in their hands(or bags of coins), they certainly felt a since of life's storms starting to brew.  In both cases, the Master returns to find two servants who did well with what was entrusted to them and one who did nothing.  In both cases, rewards are given to those who did well with their talents or mina and the one who did nothing was separated from his Master.  There are vast differences between these two parable (because we are supposed to walk away with different lessons from them).  One big difference is that in the Parable of the Minas only one mina is given to each (each is given the same amount to begin with).  In the Talents, the starting amounts vary from one to two to five.  We get the beginning and the ending of each parable, but I would love to know the middle.  What did each servant have to overcome?  What challenges did they face?  What sacrifices did they have to make?  One can only imagine the road was not perfect or smooth and that sometimes knowing which choice to make or direction to go was tough.  The point is that in each case, two servants stood apart.  They overcame.  They trusted that they were doing what their Master had intrusted them to do.  They moved from an area of comfort and convenience (their normal) and embarked on a journey that I am sure involved risk and uncertainty.  They were intentional.  

Like the Parable of the Minas, we have heard of God's existence.  We have learned of His presence.  Congratulations!  You have been given your Mina.  We are all given the same one.  What do we do with it?  Do we feel the need to trade it (share it) and gain more minas.  Are we moving with a since of urgency and purpose to grow spiritually the Mina we were given or are we doing nothing with it.  If we are doing nothing, why?  Is is fear?  Is it indifference?  Are we stuck?  Are you too comfortable in your present normal to stretch a little a grow your Mina?  Like Martin Luther King said, we are measured by where we stand in times of challenge and controversy.  We are measured by whether we turn away in fear and indifference or whether we plow through with intention.  Are we intentionally trying to grow our faith walk with our Savior?  If no, then why not?  

Earlier I mentioned that storms can help you know exactly where you are with God.  It is almost a blinding realization.  Think about it.  When your life's storm arises, do you run to God or do you turn to Him because He was next to you?  

Everything Changes

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe.

I thought this quote was an appropriate one to kick off the new year. While Marilyn Monroe was not necessarily a role model...these words are quite profound. As Shelley stated, God does see the bigger picture, and while we only see the step we are on now...he sees the finished result. We are devastated by the things that fell apart and often fail to look back later to see how that caused something better to "fall together". Change is inevitable...we are in a constant state of change. Some of us actually like change a lot...probably more than we should! ;) I have always been one that enjoyed change...rearranging furniture often, trying new things, changing my hair, etc. I was reminded in church this morning that Ecclesiates 3 says:

"1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."

God himself tells us that our life will be FULL of changes...some are good and fun, some are painful and sad. But He also promises us this...

Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

So, while we endure changes that are not so pleasant...we can remember that God does see the front of the tapestry and the beautiful picture that it will make...not the MESS that we see on the back. But, we can't be afraid to get our hands dirty in the mess so that we become ineffective for God and His purpose in our life. I am SO thankful that while I don't know what the future holds, I KNOW who holds the future...and He is The One who created EVERYTHING! I am also thankful for friendships that stay the same...while also changing into something even more beautiful than they began. I am honored to be included in something so special...and can't wait to see what God has in store!

Holding His Hand, Amanda

Change---my resolution solution

    Change is good.  Change is necessary.  People change.  Life changes.  It is time for a change.  You could brandish off many more of people's sayings about change.  A brand new year is always where people stop to reflect upon the past year and decide upon things they would like to change in the upcoming year.  Every year I decide not to make a resolution, because generally it the same one and involves me giving up things that I really did not want to give up in the first place. 
    I generally do not think that I am a fan of change, but then again......if it is in my favor, I quite like it.  Sometimes change is fun.......a vacation from work, a new friend, new car, a different perspective.  However, even the fun changes take time to work out the wrinkles.  I imagine change to be like anything else.  If it is worth having, it is going to require some work, some stretching, and maybe a little pain.  Usually the lasting changes are like this and do not come easy.
     These last weeks of 2011 have caused me to really sit back and look at things.  I have been surrounded by tragedy that have caused great change to occur.  As tragedy does, it made me stop and look around taking an inventory of blessings and thanksgivings.  I realized that my heart has ached for change....some to happen and some not to...some changes I longed for and some I had to endure.  I know you ache for and endure change as well......a change in your job, a change in your relationship with loved ones or friends, a change in your marriage, a change in your health.  I have watched a family lose four members at once this week.....not a change they planned, wanted, but must endure.  I also watched and prayed for a miracle for a family whose small son had been in an accident.  Changes in his condition now offer them hope that he will not be lost to them......however, their lives were forever changed that day.
   Here is what during all the reflecting the past weeks has been whispered to me in that still small voice.
 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)  Jeremiah 29:11  There is One who is unchanging.  There is One whose unwavering nature can guide us through any course of change.  We just have to give our whole selves to Him.  Not the Sunday best portion, and not the Wednesday night section.  Our WHOLE self.  Even the parts of you that you want to forget (including the part that doesn't really want to give up the chocolate cake).  He already has forgiven you and is waiting on you to realize you don't have to do anything alone.  There is a greater plan.  
   Sitting in the funeral for the family I mentioned before the minister referred to a cross-stitch.  He asked if you had ever looked at the back of one.  I have.  I have even tried to make a few during my teen-age years with my Granny, my Great Aunt, and my Grandma.  They loved that stuff.  The back is a tangled, cut up, knotted up mess.  Some connections are thick, some are thin.  Some pieces are cut off and some are weaved together.  However, when you flip it over, that mess amazingly reveals itself to be a carefully thought out and crafted picture full of detail and color.  When we place our self in the hands of the Master, we are a thread in that cross stitch.  We may just be able to see the mess, but He can see the masterpiece that is waiting because he knows the whole plan.  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."  (1 Corinthians 2:9) 
   The past two or three years have presented me with lots of change and I am sure I will be presented with many more.  Some of these changes I have hoped for, some I hoped for and now wish away, some I would have kindly have done without.  Some of these changes caused me to do great soul searching, praying, and seeking.  So what did I come up with?  Here is your resolution solution from me.  The one change that can change everything and everyone can do.  Draw yourself closer to the One who is powerful enough to cause the change your after or to calm the storm that change has created.  I am convinced that every change we want to make is possible if first and foremost we seek Him.  
  Now, be careful.  I am not a banner girl.  I don't wear my heart on my sleeve. I don't chant the words everyone else is saying, and I don't drink the Kool-Aid (if you know what I mean).  However, I have always sort of envied those people who had a relationship with God where they could hear His voice.  I worked really hard to try to hear it, and I sort of resigned myself to the fact that they had something I just could not obtain. While I always knew and understood that my salvation is not determined by what I do, I still found myself measuring my relationship with God on what I did for Him and all the things that other people thought I "should" be doing.  I was busy for God.  Busy doing all the things I thought would bring me closer to Him.  However, I was so busy that I could not hear.  I was so busy that I was not taking the time I needed to talk to Him.  There is a difference in saying "I will pray about that" and actually actively seeking His wisdom.  Not one prayer....but countless prayers (and believing that those prayers will be answered).  There is a difference in preparing for a Sunday School lesson and actively seeking to expand your knowledge by seeking out new perspectives and commentaries.  There is a difference in wanting really badly to hear God's voice and actually listening for it.  So my resolution solution is embrace the One who has and will forever be the unchanging.  After all,  if my mind can not even conceive the plan He has in store for me, I had better let Him do the driving.
      Oh, and the voice...I expected it to be louder.  I mean we are talking about God here.  I was thinking trumpets or at least something deep and fairly booming (although that would scare you into listening, wouldn't it).  It really is a whisper.  Something you would miss if you were not actively listening.  God is patient too.  He waits on you to start the conversation.