Commitment to God and One Another

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:52 am Post subject: Commitment to God and One Another

Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She has sought wool and flax, and has wrought by the counsel of her hands. She has put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She has opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)

But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you; For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)

For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained another five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained another two. But he that had received the one, going his way dug into the earth, and hid the money belongint to his lord.

But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought the other five talents, saying: Lord, you did deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained another five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.

And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, you delivered two talents to me: behold I have gained another two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.

But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that your are a hard man; you reap where you have not sown, and gathered where you have not strewed. And being afraid I went and hid your talent in the earth: behold here have that which is yours.

And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed: You ought therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that has ten talents.

For to every one that has shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that has not, that also which he seems to have shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant cast out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14-30)

Male and female He made us so that we would leave our parents and find the one to whom we will commit for the rest of the days of our lives. We seek the perfect person, but, we each have our flaws, we each have our sins. There is not a one who is perfect for perfection is only found in the Lord.

If we seek to find another of virtue and great worth, so too should we seek to be a person with the qualities we seek. The Word gives us the example and He lights the way. In prayer we should ask that what flaws may reside in us be washed away so that we may develop the qualities of selflessness, for it is through selflessness that we become truly capable to offer the virtues of love.

A man who finds a worthy woman is blessed, but he is only worthy if he too offers himself in selflessness. Where selfishness exists, divisions shall follow. So too, the woman who finds a worthy man is blessed, but she is only worthy if she too offers herself in selflessness. As each is concerned for the other, the bonds of love shall grow.

As a man and woman explore each other, they are tempted and often deceived by pleasures sought for the moment. Love is not found in beauty or lust, but is found in who we are within the depths of our hearts. If we seek true happiness, we should look for what is found in the spirit, not in what is found in the flesh, for what is in the flesh will fade but what is in the spirit shall endure.

In the time of youth, we fail to concern ourselves with the understanding that we do not know the length of our hours. We must prepare for our future, yet, we must also be prepared for when our moments in this world will end and we will be called to account for how we used the time granted to us by God.

What we do in the ways of the world has no meaning beyond the world, but what we do in the ways of the Word shall have eternal meaning. It is love which prepares us for the time to come, it is love which transcends what is now and what shall be. In prayer we should prepare. Through love of Him and one another we shall reap what we sow.

The Lord has entrusted each of us with gifts, talents which may be used in selfless service to Him and one another. What should we expect from Him if we squander our gifts in selfish pursuits? Blessed are those who hear His call and use His gifts to fulfill His will?

Blessed is the one who understands the calling of the Lord for they will sow blessings among others. As we place our talents to His works, we bring the love of heaven to this world. In prayer, we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we do not squander what He grants, rather, such that we learn how to use our talents to build the power of peace and love within all whom we touch.

What burdens do we build upon ourselves when we seek selfish pursuits? What blessings we receive when we turn our hearts to selflessness? As we become servants to things, we fail to be servants to one another. As we become servants to Him, we will be guided to also be servants of the children of His creation. He has shown us the way, for while He is our Master, He taught us through washing the feet of His disciples and the sacrifice for all made upon the cross.

He did not come to take from us, but to give. We have all been blessed by what He has bestowed, but now He turns to each of us and asks what shall we do with His gifts? We do not truly grow if we do not share our gifts for the blessings of others. Let us, then, share our blessings so that many shall see the light of His kingdom and so that many will learn how to enter through its gates.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier