I
find these parables so helpful in trying to encourage others to use
their natural talents or God given spiritual gifts to bring light to the
world to share their gifts.The Parable of the Lampstand. This appears in the Gospels in (Matthew 5-14), (Mark 4:21-25) and (Luke 19:11-27).The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is also mentioned as well.
The meaning of the lampstand for me is quite clear and it says to me, if you have a natural talent or spiritual gift try and harness it and use them as well to bring light to the world. I like the verse "He who the spirit lights brings light to the world..Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5).
The same Parable tells us to be like Salt and the Light to the world-bringing spiritual truths and light to the world, a world which needs salt as a preservative for flavour and enhancement. (Matthew 5:13-16). Jesus also told us on earth in Luke (Luke 12, 32-40) to build up things of a spiritual nature which can be treasured in Heaven that supports Jesus' mission and which is also done to help us reach eternal life. The Holy Spirit to can guide others to what may be helpful for them. We are also encouraged to sow what is of spiritual relevance which cannot be destroyed in the ground and roots as Christians as instructed by the Lord with the Parable of the Sower.
Christ asks us to do these things if we can and we should know that these are good to do if you feel called to do so. We should also know that our salvation rests on Christ alone through faith in him and that by following his word so that you that will receive eternal rest in Christ (Hebrews 4). Follow your heart to guide you and take a pause if you need to, as Christ has given us a light yoke to carry and he alone takes the full burden (Matthew 11:28-30).
If you wanted to there are different ways you could bring light to the world, I like writing so will concentrate on writing first, you could write your account of your faith and store it permanently online like on a free or cheap blog or there are other ways you may come up with yourself. We all are very unique. I studied religious studies to and conflict resolution and this blog and writing today on my faith is a perfect pairing blend of both of those interests and talents to support the work of God.
If though you are a writer I would advise you to do as what was said to me at 17 to do which was to note down my experiences with my faith as I was going through it and I am that glad I did this and it was so useful to have these decades later when writing. Writing my account of my faith journey gave me the best feeling ever. I also shared the link to my testimony on Facebook with friends and family.
I went onto develop cards to share with others in church with the link to the website and I shared it on forums which I had a calling to reach and I also liked to post some cards in deprived areas through their doors. I also gave some cards out in the street to people who I felt called to and I liked leaving them on a board in my local supermarket for people to pick up at their own will. I also did an advert in two local papers that was in an area which it would be read well and also where I grew up to, my roots.
I
also created a free ebook to be downloaded and a book that can be
bought on Amazon with any bought the donations will go to my church. It
was on my testimony and I wanted it to be downloaded for free-but I had
to set a price and let all donations go to a church. In this project I
also made some covering videos and it was a joy for me to do the project
for God and it was the most rewarding thing that I have done. My
Youtube links can be found at the links section on this blog and there
is a blog post also for that.
I am keen too help others write
their story as well, the heart of the gift I have is to bring a
testimony for Jesus Christ-For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy' (Rev. 19:10). Jesus asks us to share our gifts to help support
others and to edify the church and uplift (exhort) others, console
others and support those new to the faith. I do this freely with no
expectation of reward-but it is the minimum I can do in the life I have
had.
It is a sad state of affairs to me that many may even get
to adulthood and have no idea of what their natural talents are and it
may be even a luxury for some to even think about it as well. I was not
encouraged to develop my natural talents fully in childhood so unpicking
them later can be challenging.
A natural talent is something
you were born with which you nurture it can be like being a gifted
musician so may be engaging in your gift and sharing your talent with
others on Facebook etc can be one way of sharing with others. Someone I
know is a gifted pianist and they share their music on Facebook and play
music at their church on a Sunday bringing light to everyone.
Getting
back to the scripture. I think scripture on this is easy to understand,
but it appears three times in the Gospels the Parable of the Lampstand.
I have quoted one and referenced the other two entries.
I like
speaking to other Christians and my rector at church sometimes before I
write so I can present a representative views of inside thought on some
topics of theology. I said to my dad yesterday who is an elder Christian
who is full of wisdom, dad say if you are say happy with what you have
in your life already why do you have to go and collect a lot more
talents just for the purposes sakes, when you are happy with what you
have and working with it well. One of the workers in the Parable of the
Gold coins was admonished by his master for not developing his one
talent. My dad reminded me as well that there was in fact the talent of
five but also of one as well, which however though went unused and Jesus
was not pleased as the person had the ability to do more. There may be
cases were you cannot do more and simply worshipping God is your limit
and God knows this, it is enough.
However, the moral of The
Parable of the Talents is that with your at least one talent if you are
able to, try and make use of them. Jesus told us not to be monopolised
by fear-you though need to be ready though to do this and your spirit
may direct you when it is the right time to write or use your gifts or
talents to support others (Revelation 21:8). Although Christ understands
our plights like the widow who gave a donation of two coins because of
her poverty, she gave it with gladness and it was all that she could
give and it more than sufficent for the Lord (Luke 21: 1-4). He though
does expect us if able to use our talents to support and serve others. "
Matthew 25: 14-30 "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
darkness."
There are many other ways you can to attempt to bring
light to the world as well. Here is someone who uses their natural
talent and is supported by the Holy Spirit doing so.‘My art is a miracle
- it’s inspired by the Holy Spirit’ To bring joy to the world is also a
the fruit of the spirit and needed (Galatians 5: 22-23).
By Kate Orson-you can see this post at the following link- https://christiansupport.freeforums.net/thread/57/art-miracle-inspired-holy-spirit Josiah Fire, on Facebook to shares spiritual messages with others and is diagnosed with non verbal autism. https://www.facebook.com/JosiahsFire Also, there is a non verbal male who also bogs who is called Murray and he writes from the soul and to my blog writing gives me a sense of purpose to. https://poetpaspoetry.wordpress.com/2025/06/26/hunger-games/
To
end this- Someone who I know who is a Christian train lover and they
had a vision about trains which is their hobby and a train had broken
that they liked which was taken to Heaven. This again supports the need
to store our spiritual treasures in Heaven which Jesus' ministry
stresses and to share our talents with others when we can whether it is
for religious purposes or not to support others through our interests to
help give them joy. Giving others joy and peace to is a fruit of the
spirit which is desirable as loving kind service (Galatians 5: 22-23).
Good luck.-a little video of the image above, it is short and peaceful.
