Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

A seed can sit in a pocket for years and never become a tree. Not because the seed is defective, but because it was never planted.

That’s how gifts work. God places abilities, passions, influence, relationships, and open doors into our lives like holy seeds. They are real. They are weighty. They are full of potential. Yet what we do next matters more than what we currently have. A gift unused doesn’t stay neutral, it slowly cools. A calling ignored doesn’t remain on pause, it quietly drifts.

We’ve all felt it, that inner nudge to step forward, to speak up, to serve, to create, to pray with boldness, to disciple someone, to reconcile, to give generously, to lead with humility. Then fear whispers, “Not yet.” Comfort says, “Later.” Comparison says, “Not you.” Overwhelm says, “When life calms down.” Before we know it, we’ve buried what heaven planted.

The saying “use it or lose it” may sound like a workout slogan, but it carries a kingdom truth, too: faithfulness strengthens what God has entrusted to you, neglect weakens it.

The Parable of the Talents: The Kingdom Doesn’t Reward Hiding

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 25:14–30 about a master who entrusts resources to his three servants. Two of them invest what they’re given and multiply it. One servant, driven by fear, buries his talent in the ground.

The tragedy in the parable is not that the servant had less. The tragedy is that he did nothing with what he had.

God is not impressed by excuses that look spiritual. The servant basically says, “I was afraid,” and fear is treated as disobedience wearing a reasonable mask. The master’s response is sobering because it reveals the heart of God’s expectation: He is not asking you to be fearless, He is asking you to be faithful.

When the faithful servants return, the master praises them with words every believer longs to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, NIV). Notice what comes next, “You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)

In the kingdom, faithfulness is the doorway to increase. Not fame. Not perfect timing. Not flawless performance. Faithfulness.

Faithfulness Starts Small, and God Watches the “Little”

Many people wait for the big stage, the big opportunity, the big ministry moment, the big breakthrough. Yet Scripture keeps bringing us back to the same principle: God measures our readiness by how we handle what’s already in our hands.

Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10, NIV)

The “very little” is often where your future is being built. A private prayer life. Consistent integrity at work. A habit of encouragement. Showing up when nobody claps. Serving in unseen places. Writing when you don’t feel inspired. Being generous when it stretches you. Forgiving when your flesh wants to keep score.

David was faithful in the field before he was anointed in public. He didn’t become brave when Goliath showed up, he was practicing courage and trust while no one was watching (1 Samuel 16–17). The widow of Zarephath had a “small” supply, but obedience turned it into ongoing provision. “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.” (1 Kings 17:16, NIV)

God multiplies what is surrendered and used. This is what my most recent book, Open-Handed Living in a Closed-Fisted World is all about: https://a.co/d/03V3fjfy

Neglect Isn’t Neutral, It’s Costly

There is a quiet danger in spiritual stagnation. Neglect rarely announces itself with a loud rebellion. It comes as delay, distraction, drifting, and dullness. The gift doesn’t disappear overnight, it fades like a fire starved of oxygen.

James says it plainly: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (James 4:17, NIV)

That verse isn’t meant to crush you. It’s meant to wake you up. God has not called you to be a passive bystander in your own transformation. He invites you into partnership. He gives grace, then calls you to respond.

Think about Saul. His downfall was not a lack of opportunity. He had position, anointing, authority, and divine direction. What he lacked was obedience, reverence, and follow-through. Samuel tells him, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22, NIV) Saul’s story warns us that spiritual gifts without surrendered character lead to spiritual loss.

The rich young ruler had potential and resources, but he walked away grieving because he could not release what had him (Mark 10:17–22). When we clutch comfort, control, or approval, we often bury the very thing God intended to use through us.

Fear Is a Thief, but the Spirit Is a Flame

Plenty of believers bury gifts for one reason: fear.

Fear of failing. Fear of being judged. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being seen. Fear of success, because success carries responsibility.

God does not shame you for feeling fear, but He does call you to stop obeying it.

Paul tells Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV) Then he adds, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

That means timidity is not your identity. The Holy Spirit is not only comfort, He is courage. He doesn’t merely soothe you, He strengthens you.

Moses tried to talk his way out of his calling. God answered his insecurity with a promise of presence: “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:12, NIV) Peter wasn’t polished, yet God used him mightily. At Pentecost, when he finally stepped forward, thousands were changed (Acts 2). God has a track record of using imperfect people who say yes.

What’s in Your Hands Right Now?

God rarely begins with what you wish you had. He begins with what you already have.

A phone can become a tool of encouragement instead of comparison. A table can become a place of discipleship. A painful story can become a ministry to the broken. A skill you call “ordinary” might be the very thing God wants to breathe on.

Ask yourself:

• What do I keep postponing that God keeps prompting?
• What gift have I minimized because it feels small?
• What fear has been driving my decisions lately?
• What step of obedience keeps coming back around?

Then ask the question God asked Moses in Exodus 4:2, “What is that in your hand?” God can use what’s in your hands when your heart is surrendered.

Three Simple Ways to “Use It” This Week

1) Practice the gift, even when it feels small.
Gifts grow through use. If you’re called to teach, start leading one person. If you’re called to write, write 300 words today. If you’re called to pray, pray out loud with someone. If you’re called to serve, volunteer faithfully where you are.

2) Place the gift on the altar, not on display.
The goal is not attention, it’s obedience. Tell the Lord, “This is Yours. Use it how You want.” That posture protects you from pride and discouragement.

3) Connect the gift to people, not just projects.
Most kingdom gifts are meant to bless others. Encourage someone today. Mentor someone this month. Invite someone into community. A gift used in love becomes a doorway for God’s presence.

A Final Encouragement

If you’ve buried a gift, it is not too late. God is a Redeemer. He restores what feels wasted. He revives what feels dormant. He specializes in fresh starts and second winds.

The servant who hid his talent made his fear the final authority. You don’t have to.

The Lord is inviting you back into motion, back into courage, back into obedience. Use what you have, where you are, with what you know right now. As you do, God will meet you with strength you did not have yesterday and wisdom you did not have last season.

You are not behind. You are being called forward.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for entrusting me with gifts, opportunities, and influence. Forgive me for the times I have buried what You placed in my hands. I confess the fear, the hesitation, the comparison, and the distractions that have kept me from stepping out. Stir my heart again, and awaken what has grown dormant.

Lord, help me fan into flame the gift You have given me. Fill me with Your Spirit, and replace timidity with power, love, and self-discipline. Give me clarity for my next step, courage to obey, and humility to stay faithful in the small things. Open the right doors, connect me with the right people, and let my life produce fruit that honors Jesus.

Today, I surrender what I have to You. Use it for Your kingdom. Multiply it for Your glory. Strengthen me when I feel weak, and remind me that You are with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.