Time, Talent & Treasure

'Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'

Matthew 6:19-21, KJV

You've been there, I'm sure. You know the place. It's that time and circumstance in your life where you ask God: "Am I doing what You want?" or perhaps: "Is the calling You've placed on my heart really from You, or is it my own wants and desires pushing through?"

Sometimes, like now, those questions crowd my spirit. Sometimes, like now, I find myself in that dreaded land known as Limbo. A disclaimer here: I don't do well with Limbo...which is probably why God uses it to teach me and mold me - but that's a blog post for another day!

Anyway, Limbo makes me question things. Limbo sometimes puts me in a place where I think: "You're not making progress. There's no forward motion. Since that's the case, then you're not doing what God wants. If God wanted this from you, you'd be leaping forward, with his power and might behind you. You'd be beating those swords into plowshares!" Couple that thinking with the success I see others achieve and doubts try to take root - like:

"You're not good enough." "Your message doesn't get through." "You don't reach people as well as that best selling Molly Author." And then there's the worst one: "What's all the effort for, anyway?"

Since that type of logic sounds suspiciously like the Devil talking, these are the times when I step back, and consider and my life, and its path. In other words, I explore 'The Big Three' - my Time, Talent and Treasure.

TIME: I dedicate whatever time I possibly can to the craft of writing. It brings me such joy to create a story! Especially a romance, because there's no better emotion to celebrate than love. For me, James Michener said it best: 'I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.'

TALENT: As Christians, we're challenged by God to make good use of the talents, and circumstances He gives us. I've been blessed to see my works in print and electronic formats - yet I refuse to be secure in myself as a writer. Maybe it's because I fear being prideful and 'me' centered instead of accomplishing my work as a disciple. It's something to keep in mind during my journey, as a writer and a member of God's family...but it's a talent. A talent of which I try to make good, Godly use.

TREASURE: Matthew's Gospel verse at the top of this post says it all when it comes to what we should (and shouldn't!) treasure. It's so simple, yet so complicated in today's results-driven, materialistic culture. Additionally, so much begs for our attention. Friends, family, careers, goals and the fulfilment of our dreams. So what about Treasure? What does 'Treasure' mean to me? I believe it lies in creating Christ-centered romances that help readers feel uplifted and affirmed.

Some day I may be a New York Times best seller. Or not. Regardless, writing has given me the opportunity to touch people, and show them God's unending, unconditional love. So, if my Time and Talent enable me to touch but one life, or turn just one soul toward Christ's love, I've attained Treasure beyond knowing, and beyond price.

That, to me, sounds like a God thing. And from there, I know I'm on the right path, and I can rest much easier - even when I'm in the Land of Limbo.

CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST!

In conjunction with this post, I have a contest going on at my personal blog: A Minute With Marianne. The prize is an autographed, print edition of Hearts Crossing, and entering is as easy as leaving a comment. Winner to be announced on Friday June 11th, so drop by and check it out!

Until next time, be blessed, and be well!

Marianne

Christianity - It's A Topic Worth Pondering

Hello, WRiB blog followers! I hope you're finding the time and ability to enjoy the blessings of this Easter season. Do you savor the rebirth of the world around us as spring quite literally erupts? Do you take joy in the long days and lazy nights as, at long last, spring and summer take hold following winter's term?

This past weekend, as my DH and I prepared our home (and hearts!) for a college graduation party for our daughter, I got to thinking. I'm a child of ritual, and, to a degree, there's comfort in that truth, and in the heartbeat of nature's timeless cycle.

For example, before I go to bed each night, I have my own little cycle, or routine. 1. I pray and, if so inspired, journal in my 'Book of Thanks." 2. I read the day's passage from "Daily Word." 3. I read the day's passage from "Living Faith." 4. I read from my most current TBR. 5. At long last, I doze off.

A couple nights ago, the readings from "Living Faith" came to me from the Acts of the Apostles, and it hit me hard. It speaks to the durability of Christianity, and it's one of my favorites:

‘If this endeavor is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy it. In fact, you may find yourselves fighting against God.’ (Acts 5:34-42 NIV)

The verses bear enormous impact on all of us as believers, and is, without doubt, one of the most underrated, yet powerful words to be found in the Bible.

The truth is this: Christianity is 2000+ years strong - and came to be in an age far removed from any form of mass communication. Yet, to this day, it powers, connects, challenges and enlightens so many millions, offering love and hope to those who seek. Believer or not, the fact remains: Something "happened" all those thousands of Easter’s ago.

If not, Christianity wouldn’t have survived for long following Christ’s death on the cross.

Throughout the ages, many false prophets performed powerful deeds, and spoke powerful words, but their followers soon died out. That never happened with Christianity. Instead, followers of Jesus became stronger. Think about that! What made a group of people (who were so scared they denied Christ and locked themselves in an upper room for days) go out into the world and enthusiastically proclaim the Gospel – knowing they were putting themselves in grave danger?

The Apostles were willing to risk death by gruesome meas. You don’t do that just to preserve someone’s “reputation.”

These were the actual first-hand witnesses to Christ’s life, death and resurrection. They didn’t back down. They all suffered and died for the Truth, yet they spread the gospel like holy wildfire! That is not only powerful, it transformed the world.

When I find myself frustrated by world events, and the culture in which we live, I keep this verse handy . While we live in times that seems to go against many of Christ’s teachings, we already know the end of the story. We already rest sure in the knowledge of God’s mercy, grace, guidance and love.

Is there any greater gift to consider as we continue to travel the resurrection path?

Blessings, everyone!

Marianne Evans