About Pearls (Part 1) 

To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. (Matthew 25:15)

I recently read about a fisherman in the Philippines who discovered a pearl weighing 34 kg. He kept it under his bed for 10 years because he thought it was good luck. It turns out that the pearl was worth an estimated $100 million.

So here’s my question to you: What pearls are you hiding under your bed?

For me it would be writing. I find it a deeply vulnerable thing to put my thoughts and ideas out into the world for anyone to read and possibly disagree with. I would rather keep those ideas and insights to myself than risk having someone dismantle them.
That is, however, not helpful to anyone. Me included. No one gains when we live in fear and selfishness.

Gifts, passion, talent and energy are only of any real value when it is used or shared. The story of the servants and the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) tell us that. The true value of our lives – the reason for us being on the earth at this time – is only ever
revealed when we come out from underneath the bowl or the bushel; when we take what we have out of the hiding place under our beds.

We don’t have to share it with the whole world. Very few people get the opportunity to do that! And Jesus also said something about throwing your pearls before the pigs (which we’ll look at in Wednesday’s blog post), but we can’t keep it all to ourselves.

So be brave. Dust off those gifts and talents you’ve been avoiding. Look at the calling you’ve been wondering about. Think of the opportunities and resources you already have, but are not using. Take them out of the boxes of fear and excuses, and share them with someone today. It may be far more valuable than you’ve ever imagined.