I stared at the screen, my fingers lingering motionless above the keyboard as hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I was twenty years old.
I was writing about Jesus and as much as my heart desired to share how beautiful it was to fall in love with Him, I felt like a fraud.
Who I was to write about Christ? After all, I was the immoral girl. I was the girl whose indiscretions were whispered just loud enough that I could hear as I passed by. What could a girl like me possibly say about the love of Jesus that was worth reading? What would people think? Surely, they would remember who I was and doubt my worthiness.
In the Parable of the Talents the servant says, "Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground" (Matthew 25:24).
How often do we bury our talents, not out of laziness, but shame? Shame that feeds into the lie that we are somehow not good enough to accept what God has given us.
Sister, I invite you to break free from that lie. I invite you to bring yourself before the Lord and give Him everything you have to offer. You may perceive your offering to be small, insignificant, and imperfect but you will watch in awe as Jesus multiplies your gifts in the most beautiful ways.
Do not allow fear to inhibit you.
Do not allow shame to bury your voice and your purpose.
Believe in the goodness of your gifts.
As you share everything you've been given for the Kingdom of God, hear the words,"Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).
This talk by this renown professor on the talents is worth a listen.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy dedicated to spreading Marian Consecration and the beauty of Christ's abundant Mercy. She enjoys finding the miracles in the mess of family life, books, strong coffee, and encountering others wherever they're at in this blessed journey to sainthood. You can find out more about her here.
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