Use It or Lose It
11/18/09 02:58 Filed in: Faith
It’s not enough to read the Bible and memorize the passages as if preparing for a trivia test. We have to walk the talk and perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
“And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come.” (Luke 19: 11-28)
“Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” Or, are you like many of the adults who are stumped by questions that ten-year olds answer on Fox TV’s popular game show? Of course, when you were their age, you knew what appeared on the back of a $10 bill. You could name the first Canadian province. And you knew the difference between a numerator and a denominator. You read the books. Memorized the lessons. Did your homework. But you’ve forgotten all of that trivia because you haven’t had to use it in years.
The expression “Use it or lose it” applies to every aspect of life. if you want to be good at anything, you have to work at it. Again and again. Every great athlete lives by the adage, “No pain, no gain.” You have to exercise your muscles and stimulate your brain with mental activities, if you want to make the most of your God-given talents.
The same thing holds true in our spiritual lives. We have to exercise our faith, in order to remain strong in our convictions. It’s not enough to read the Bible and memorize the passages as if preparing for a trivia test. We have to walk the talk and perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It may mean volunteering at a food bank, thrift shop or homeless shelter. It might mean visiting the homebound and sick, comforting someone who’s grieving or delivering for Meals on Wheels. It might mean teaching in a Bible study or at a vacation Bible School.
Nobody can tell you how to respond to today’s Gospel message. But your God-given talents are the surest sign of how you are meant to put your faith into action. You have to use it or lose it.
“Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” Or, are you like many of the adults who are stumped by questions that ten-year olds answer on Fox TV’s popular game show? Of course, when you were their age, you knew what appeared on the back of a $10 bill. You could name the first Canadian province. And you knew the difference between a numerator and a denominator. You read the books. Memorized the lessons. Did your homework. But you’ve forgotten all of that trivia because you haven’t had to use it in years.
The expression “Use it or lose it” applies to every aspect of life. if you want to be good at anything, you have to work at it. Again and again. Every great athlete lives by the adage, “No pain, no gain.” You have to exercise your muscles and stimulate your brain with mental activities, if you want to make the most of your God-given talents.
The same thing holds true in our spiritual lives. We have to exercise our faith, in order to remain strong in our convictions. It’s not enough to read the Bible and memorize the passages as if preparing for a trivia test. We have to walk the talk and perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It may mean volunteering at a food bank, thrift shop or homeless shelter. It might mean visiting the homebound and sick, comforting someone who’s grieving or delivering for Meals on Wheels. It might mean teaching in a Bible study or at a vacation Bible School.
Nobody can tell you how to respond to today’s Gospel message. But your God-given talents are the surest sign of how you are meant to put your faith into action. You have to use it or lose it.
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