In peace as always
This is 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.
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 waned 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. We are also encouraged to sow what is of spiritual relevance and cannot
be destroyed in the ground and roots as Christians as instructed by the Lord with the Parable of the Sower.
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 said to my dad yesterday, dad 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 happy 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.
As stated 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’
By Kate Orson-you can see this post at the following link-
https://christiansupport.freeforums.net/thread/57/art-miracle-inspired-holy-spirit
Good luck.-a little video of the image above, it is short and peaceful.
