What the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) Teaches Us About Discerning God’s will for Your Life
This is the age-old dilemma: do we wait for God to reveal His will to us, or do we have a responsibility to take proactive steps? Let’s explore this together and cut through the lies that are keeping you from a meaningful and fulfilling career. I’m on a mission to strip away the fluff, breaking through common misconceptions, to provide the clarity and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of career decisions.
Amidst these tough decisions, have you ever found yourself repeatedly asking the Lord, “Please, God, just show me your will”? I get it. I’ve been there too. But guess what? It turns out, we’re not meant to just sit back and passively wait for answers. We’re actually called to make those tough decisions, grow in discernment, and not forfeit our own judgment. Keep reading to understand how you can practically incorporate these practices into your life and why we are called to do so.
The Misconceptions: Debunking Common Beliefs about Waiting on God
When people feel dissatisfied in their careers, it really is written all over their face. They are not shy in expressing how draining their jobs are, often sharing some of the following statements and questions,
- “Should I wait for God to reveal my path?”
- “I’m just waiting for the Lord to open or close doors.”
- “I don’t know what’s right for me, and I don’t want to rely on my own understanding.”
- “So, I’m waiting, praying, and seeing which doors the Lord will open.”
- “I’m not happy with my job, but I’m waiting on God to show me His will and what He wants me to do instead.”
And don’t get me wrong, the heart behind these statements and questions is awesome. I hope that we consult and honor God in all of our decisions, because our first calling is absolutely to follow Jesus, answer the call to faith, and align every aspect of our lives in submission and in accordance with that faith, acknowledging Jesus as the Lord of all. Again, the heart behind these statements is honorable.
The Hard Truth: Escaping the Cycle of Learned Helplessness
But here is the hard truth I promised: Beneath these statements lie limiting beliefs and distorted biblical principles about what it truly means to be faithful in our careers and how God expects us to navigate this aspect of our lives.
So the question is: Should I wait for God to tell me what to do with my career, or should I just go on with it?
Here’s the thing, I’ve seen how this often plays out – people staying in jobs that drain them more and more, unintentionally slipping into a state of learned helplessness and falling into the trap of creating a theology that makes them a victim to their career circumstances. They preach contentment, convinced that this must be where the Lord has placed them, but here’s the kicker – God didn’t drop a career manual in the Bible. What He did do is encourage us to use logic, initiative, research, and diligence.
Why? Well, it’s about maximizing the fruits of our time, the resources we’ve been given, the talents and spiritual gifts entrusted to us, the unique personality and passions instilled in our hearts, and the specific spheres of influence we find ourselves in – all for His glory. Our calling is to make the most of these things so that more people can know Him and so that our lives are dedicated to humble service to the God who gave us life.
It’s about embracing the opportunities and responsibilities He’s given us and using them wisely to honor Him and NOT buying into the notion that you should sit back and relinquish responsibility, simply praying for the Lord’s will without actively engaging in the decision-making process.
This all sounds great, but how do we actually find that balance between waiting on God and taking intentional steps forward? To answer this, let’s turn to scripture and unpack this together, starting with my favorite, Matthew 25: The Parable of the Talents.
Biblical Wisdom: Taking Initiative & Knowing When to Act
In Matthew chapters 24 and 25 (I encourage you to read this alongside me) Jesus discusses his second coming and the end of the world with his disciples. Emphasizing the uncertainty of the exact timing, he urges them to stay vigilant and ready. Jesus unfolds two parables to convey what accountability looks like when he returns. The second parable is often known as the Parable of the Talents, where a master entrusts his wealth to three servants. To each, he assigns a different amount based on their abilities.
The servant with the most gold goes and doubles it, showcasing initiative and productivity. The one in the middle does the same, multiplying the master’s wealth. However, the servant with the least amount of gold digs a hole, hides the gold, and returns it to the master untouched.
This story hits close to home for many of us. Are we, like the third servant, burying our talents in jobs that don’t honor them? Are we motivated by fear and a desire for security, missing out on the opportunity to use our talents boldly?
The lazy servant’s rationale reflects our own beliefs like, “I’m just waiting on God to reveal His will for my career.” But here’s the hard truth – God expects us to be wise and diligent stewards, not passive onlookers. He hasn’t provided a step-by-step manual, and, instead, we’re called to develop wisdom and initiate action.
Aligning Our Actions with God’s Expectations & Cultivating Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom in Decision-Making
The Parable of the Talents challenges the notion of waiting for direct instructions and urges us to be proactive, strategic, and faithful stewards of the talents, resources, and opportunities God has given us. As we reflect on this story, it becomes clear that exercising logic, diligence, and wisdom is crucial. One key takeaway is the call to prudence – understanding our resources, assessing options, and making wise decisions, especially in significant areas like our careers. So, if you find yourself stuck in that cycle of indecision, waiting for a clear sign, it’s time to reconsider and take charge of your career journey.
We are not called to forsake difficult decisions; in fact, making difficult decisions aligns with God’s will to sharpen our character and grow in wisdom. Personally, I didn’t wait for a specific sign to understand the gifts, talents, resources, and passions entrusted to me for God’s service. Instead, I took the initiative to understand how God created me by studying the Bible, which serves as the perfect picture of His will. As a result, I began to feel God’s guidance, His nudges, and the timely placement of people in my life. God truly desires our spiritual maturity and wisdom to flourish through the practice of making decisions with sound judgment.
Listen to the full episode here.
