Issue 1,143 – Little Ponds – April 29, 2023
I snapped this shot while walking around Mill Lake Park with Kathy a few days ago. I was amused by the mallard duck (and his nearby mate) choosing to settle on this little puddle with a duck-friendly lake about 100 feet away.
I imagined the ducks’ dialogue. Perhaps it was, “We are so lucky to have our own space when everyone else has to share the lake.” Or, maybe, “If we had only flown another hundred feet, we’d have the entire lake to swim around.” Of course, even if ducks think in those terms, we cannot know.
It got me thinking about the old dilemma. Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? I don’t know that there is a correct answer. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
I have been in both positions to some degree, although the small pond was indeed small. I have since learned it really doesn’t matter which pond or which fish. It is God who is in control, and our role is to be faithful and obedient, no matter how big the lake or small the puddle.
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus’ point was that it wasn’t about how much the servants were given. The evaluation was based on their faithfulness in using the gift.
We may be surprised by who is in glory and who isn’t. Some of the famous big names may not be there. Some of the unknown grandmothers in the back pews may be superstars.
Our focus shouldn’t be on the pond we are given but on the one who gave us our pond. In faith, we strive to serve the LORD and leave the results and the glory up to Him.
May you hear the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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