Talents? Really?

I just finished watching the VCD of the Christmas musical put up by the Youth Church and team from my church back home. It's brilliant and very creative. Syabas for the wonderful performance! I'm thankful to Irene who sent me the VCD so that I can catch this display of talent and outstanding presentation. I love the combination of dance, stompers, rap, acting and singing. I think the the finale medley of carols was very well done and my favourite was Chu Yaw's original solo piece. I'm very impressed with the amount of work and practise put in, considering the number of people involved in putting up this production. It's so amazing to see how blessed we are with such a big pool of talented people who'd spend their time, energy, effort and holidays to put together a fantastic show like this! Our dear Sheena probably came home just in time to learn her lines! This indeed is a demonstration of the team's passion for God and their desire to glorify Him is clearly seen in the excellent production they brought together. As a result the body of Christ is blessed.

I'm currently reading 'Truly the Community: Romans 12 and How to be the Church' by Marva Dawn (among other books that I am trying to finish before the holidays are over!) One of the thing that strike me is how the body of Christ functions best when we each do our part and offer up our talents. Our gifts are unique although that does not mean it has to be rigidly or narrowly categorised. It is a thrill and tremendous blessing when we each do our part and give of ourselves and offer our talents gladly. As great as a violin or saxophone may sound, they make the best music when playing with others. The performance mentioned above is not something any single individual can pull off nor take credit for alone. A team was needed and it was only a team that is united can put up such a marvellous musical. Every member of the team has a role and each one was indispensable.

However I've also made some observations about gift distribution. Gift, by its nature, is something that cannot be earned and not given based on merit. So it's given to us and the Bible calls them 'charismata', thus they are in fact graces. I think of the parable of the talent and it seems to confirm that God does not distribute equal gifts to each person. Sure, everyone is given a portion of gifts as the Holy Spirit wills, and some gifts are more visible than others and tend to be given more honour. An example of this would perhaps be preaching and teaching, although that's not to say that they are really deserving of more honour than the person who is serving to prepare the elements for communion. When the servant who was given one talent, hid it in the ground and failed to invest it, he was severely reprimanded. His talent was taken from him and given to the one who already had 10! Some of us might have thought that's not so cool and wonder why He did not give it to the one who had 4 talents instead.

Another parable in the gospel of Matthew talks about a landowner who hired different batches of workers to work in his field. At the end of the day, he paid them all the same wages although the number of hours they worked differed. When those who worked the most part of the day voiced out about the inequality, they were chided and reminded that they had received their due wages. They were hired on the basis that they would be remunerated according to what he thinks is fair. However this sort of remuneration scheme would definitely attract a union strike in our days today.

Tell me does this fit your idea of fair? Nevertheless the truth is He gives different gifts to different folks and we are responsible for our lot and to do our best to do our part with what we have been given. We work best when we are working together in harmony with others in the body of Christ. It's not our business to look at our neighbour and wonder why we were not given certain gifts. It's not competitive but complimentary for the extension of His kingdom and for His glory's sake.

Talking about talents, I discovered a new talent. I had my first experience of left-hand driving for the first time over the Christmas hols. It was pretty cool. Took my friends to do some shopping few days before Christmas and during Boxing Week sale. These are among the busiest shopping seasons here. It's definitely different but I'm glad I've had a few opportunities to travel in cars to observe how the system works around here. Quite a feat and a cool experience.