Brian really challenged us to think about the cards each of us has been dealt. By cards, Brian was referring to all the gifts, strengths, weaknesses, flaws, circumstances, etc. that each of us has. He then asked the critical question: Does each of us make the most of our cards, whether good or bad? Some of us have better cards than others and some don't, but we have no control over what we are given in life. We do, however, have control over how we play our cards. That sounds completely obvious, but we American Christians often don't live life as if we understand that statement. We know that our incomes and standard of life are higher than most other people's in the world, but we are only aware of what we don't have or of the cards others have. We indeed have been dealt good hands, but we're not satisfied with having a straight or flush; we want the full-houses and straight-flushes. Heck, if we had it our way, we'd all want royal flushes. Well, consider that the majority of the world plays with a pair...at best. Or sometimes, we allow Satan to corrupt our "good cards"-our strengths, talents, and gifts-such that we don't bless people with them and/or use them selfishly.
When it comes down to it, we American Christians rarely use the cards we have been dealt to bless God and others. If I died today, I'm not sure God would say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant." What would it look like for me to use all my cards, good and bad, and give them to God for nonstop, passionate kingdom-work?
I know this post sounds ultra-preachy, but what would it look like for us to make the most of what we have been entrusted with? At the end of the day, when I die, I'd sure like to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Or considering the analogies to cards, I'd also be okay with hearing, "Well played, sir, well played."
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