The Parable of the Tiny but Mighty Gifts
Why We Fear Them & What is Your Role in These Pivotal Days?
‘Where are you off to now?’ Dragonbit asked Rabbitfast in a very bored voice as he slowly swiped at a dragonfly fluttering nearby. He longed to hold it in his hand and study its delicate and beautiful wings.
‘Oh hurry, hurry!’ Rabbitfast paused, her breath pushing out rapidly, thinking she should have at least brought her inhaler. ‘I’ve an appointment with the Great Wise One! I need to update Him on this project that He has me on.’
‘Oh!’ EleEeyore moaned. ‘You mean that book?’
‘Book, yup. Stories too. And that article I meant to post last week! Oh! And I think a second book too! But I have such a hard time sitting still.’ She hopped forward a few steps. ‘Perhaps I have it all wrong. Hey, didn’t you also make an appointment for today, EleEeyore? If so, I believe you might be heading the wrong way down the trail!’
‘What is it with your kind?’ Dragonbit nodded at EleEeyore. ‘Seems to me you’re either lumbering the wrong way or hanging out in trees all the time.’
‘We don’t need to show our faces,’ EleEeyore sniffed. ‘Unlike some of you. I prefer to remain as unobvious as possible.’ She moved her great trunk to the side, peering at Rabbitfast. ‘Although I’m happy to carry you there, Rabbitfast.’
Rabbitfast blinked, knowing she could hop ten times faster. ‘Err- thanks for the offer. Ah well. It takes all kinds, indeed.’ She paused her hopping once more. ‘What about you, Dragonbit? Did you set up an appointment?’
Dragonbit sniffed, preferring to search out the next great insect beauty of the forest. ‘Appointment? Oh yes, I met with the Great Wise One last year. Spent quite a bit of time anyway…’
‘And? What did He tell you?’ EleEeyore rumbled and sat, shaking the forest floor.
Rabbitfast startled but Dragonbit didn’t even jump. He seemed in a stupor as he blinked and then crossed his claws on his chest. The dragonfly fluttered off. His face rearranged into a thoughtful expression. ‘Uh… teach. When I find these beautiful creatures, I am to teach them of their beauty. Their uniqueness. And of their Creator…’
‘And how is that going?’ EleEeyore heaved a sigh and flopped her trunk on the ground. Rabbitfast shot her a warning look and EleEeyore shrugged. ‘What? I’m just trying to help.’
‘Tragically interrupted,’ Dragonbit huffed. ‘No thanks to the two of you. And besides, who am I to tell them what they probably already know? I would probably scare them off.’ He moved into the forest, breaking limbs as he went.
‘I think he got distracted with the finding beauty part,’ EleEeyore sighed. ‘Hey, have you seen Unispoke? I haven’t seen him since he climbed up and yelled on the top of that big rock, informing some creatures of The Words.’
Rabbitfast grinned. ‘Sabbatical, maybe. Maybe we needed a break, too. Oh dear, now I must run. Good day, EleEeyore! Enjoy your nap.’ She turned and bolted into the forest, her large pocket watch clanking against her hip.
And across the clearing, ChickNana ran the other direction, squawking, ‘Pray? I’m supposed to pray? What in the world difference will that make?! I wanted to do something!’
In Matthew 25, we read of the Talent Parable and the three who received their gifts. It is interesting that this story resides in this area, because this entire chapter focuses on the End of Days. This is not just a story about using our gifts and talents, but a Parable of being especially chosen for this last season of Days and our responsibility within that.
The Parable And What It Says
One man (Rabbitfast), having received his talents and assignments, brought back more than what the Lord expected. With a go-getter attitude, a competitive personality, and possibly an overachiever bent (while still wanting to please His master), he invested those gifts and talents wisely, doubling the impact. And the Lord was very pleased.
The next man (EleEeyore) received ‘lesser’ talents, but for the sake of this story, we will call them what they really are: Quiet. The Lord states that He gave them each talents according to dynamis, which is translated as ‘ability’ but actually means ‘powerful/miracle.’ Yes, these people were capable, in the Lord’s power, of more than they thought possible. This man also quietly and humbly doubled his portion of his gifts. As we see, EleEeyore had helper gifts of mercy, service and likely hospitality—and used those to serve her friends.
Although certainly, she could have been more cheerful about it. :-)
And then we have the third (Dragonbit), who buried his gift, seemed insecure, and grew worried about what the other creatures might think. The third man said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
The word for ‘afraid’ (phobeomai) actually indicates that he was afraid, or reverent of the Lord, but in an improper way, as it can be an impediment. He basically said, ‘I know what you are capable of, Lord. I hid it away, nice and safe.’ Basically: You can do it on your own, Lord, and with your other servants. You do not need me. I am afraid. Besides, won’t it all happen as it is supposed to be, anyway? With or without me?
The Lord called him wicked, lazy and his actions worthless. ‘You knew of my power and my ability to use you, no matter what, and you hid what I gave you. You could have at least made a deposit, and my gift to you would have earned interest.’ And he gave those gifts instead to the ones who would multiply them.
What I Observe In His Parable
Let’s peek at the following observations:
In verse 15, it says: ‘Then he went on his journey.’ Jesus, having given us our assignments, returned to Heaven.
In verse 19: ‘After a long time, the Master returned to settle the accounts.’ This is a nod to our earthly-time. The Lord knows we feel—we’ve waited so long for Him to come, even though it has been just days to Him, but just as ALL of His promises have been kept, He is coming!
To the first two men, He uses the words often heard in Heaven after arrival: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’
He also says, ‘You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Yes, this is indicative of someone’s future Heaven-role if they are faithful with their gifts and talents here on earth.
Verse 29 says, ‘For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance…’ He is ready and willing to provide overflowing abundance to those of us who use our gifts well here on earth.
Yes, ‘investing’ in your gift can be scary and at times, seem off-track to what we thought we were supposed to do. We see a bevy of excuses, including: I’m too old; That’s not me; I’m not talented enough; Who me? A pray-er?; I don’t relish being on stage—or whatever.
But in these pivotal times, investing in your unique gifts isn’t just about personal fulfillment—it is a vital part of stewardship for a world in transition.
When the shadows of uncertainty grow long, our talents serve as lamps intended to illuminate the path for others.
Image by Hans Benn from Pixabay
Take the raw materials of your gifts, your compassion, your intellect, your life experience and your creativity and refine them through consistent, courageous action. By refusing to bury our potential in the soil of fear, doubt or distraction, we participate in a spiritual momentum where every small step of faithfulness attracts an abundance of clarity, strength and Kingdom Impact.
Please do not wait for ‘perfect conditions’ to contribute. Offer what you have now, trusting that your commitment to your purpose is the very thing that will anchor you and light the way for those around you when it matters most.
Don’t be a Dragonbit, no matter how cute he is.
Love, Jules
Your Heaven Reporter
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning. Give me oil in my lamp, I pray. Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning. Keep me burning til the break of day! (Author of Song: A. Sevison)
P.S. Here is a recent Substack Live that Echoes of Memory by Sally Cave and I did on fasting and praying. Feel free to share!
I wanted to tell you this because I thought you’d think it was neat! I auditioned and was chosen to be part of the music ministry team at church, which is something that I was nervous about. But when I was reading Ephesians, something about music almost went bold when I read it. That had never happened before.
I went to an introductory practice to get to know people and see how it went but also kind of felt like, “I haven’t been on stage in front of real crowd since 2020.” There was a feeling of hesitation.
Then I got a notification in my new music ministry scheduling app that said my first day would be on May 17. That is my birthday. 🤣 It kind of felt like Jesus was saying, “What else do you really need here? Just go do it.”
So in other words, I’m trying not to be a Dragonbit.