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Matthew 25:29
"For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."
Our lives are like a plot of land. The soil composition, geography, weather, and starter crop are beyond our capacity to control – we inherit aspects of our nature from our ancestors and we live in particular sociopolitical realities that often determine the language we speak, the lifestyle we grow up in, the educational opportunities we have, and many other factors. We will never be able to change what we start with, but we do have opportunities to respond to these influences in many different ways.
Matthew 25 depicts three scenarios in which people have been faced with a particular situation and have had access to different possible ways of reacting. The first situation (verses 1-13) is the choice to prepare for what you know is eventually coming and staying alert, or to not prepare until you see action happening. The second situation (14-30) offers a choice between building on what you are given, or hiding your “talent” out of fear. The third situation (31-46) depicts the results of choosing to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned, or to ignore those in need.
In each situation, people are portrayed as having some agency to choose how they respond, or, which ‘seeds’ they sow into their ‘life-pot.’ Some seeds bring life, which manifests in many different ways. They are nutritious seeds which keep us in the light, witnessing growth, and in fellowship with God. However, other seeds produce confusion, ill-preparedness, fear, short-sightedness, and exclusion.
What kind of ‘ground’ were you born into? Rocky? Fertile? Have you been able to invest in renewing your ‘soil’?
What ‘seeds’ have you invested in cultivating your life so far? Where did you find them? How are they growing? Do you need to pay more attention to caring for any developing plants?
Who else has access to plant in your garden? What kind of seeds do they bring with them? Stinging nettles and poison ivy? Or pollinator flowers, juicy tomatoes, and strawberries?
What do you want to reap at the end of your life?
Art: Megan Kenyon | Silent Screaming | mixed media collage on paper | 2020
Practice: HubSpot on Decision Making
Read through HubSpot's comprehensive guide on decision making. This guide is geared towards business and community leaders, but you may also find it helpful for personal use.
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