Focus: v. l5

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

When Stuart was a small boy and Christmas gifts were always equal to the excitement that preceded them, he received a Star Wars toy that had to be assembled. Daddy, of course, could assemble anything in those days. The toy, when put together, would be a small replica of a vehicle from the Star Wars movie-a kind of flying motorcycle that was equipped with laser weapons. It was used by the Imperial Storm troopers to chase Luke Skywalker and the rebel forces through the forests.

Stuart watched with patience as I scrutinized the many pieces of plastic and set them out carefully on the floor between us. He waited with understanding as I read out the long list of instructions, which came in several language&-just in case the English version wasn't clear enough. He then went to play with some other toys while I spent a good hour putting the instructions and the pieces of plastic together. It was a satisfying and startling success: Stuart was satisfied and I was startled-

He had been playing with the toy for less than a minute, however, when it exploded into its many pieces. He laughed with delight. I went into shock. My wife suggested that the toy was supposed to explode into pieces, just like in the movie. I could only think of all the work it had taken to put it together and what it would take to assemble it again. Stuart, who had probably been watching me closely ... while playing with his other toys . . . sitting across the room ... with his back to me, already had the toy assembled and was off chasing rebel forces and making the toy explode again and again with delight. Children have a special talent for figuring out complex toys.

Not all gifts are equal to the excitement that precedes them. I am reminded of gifts that the receivers feel are totally undesirable, too precious or expensive to use, or too complicated to assemble or learn: the handkerchiefs that are out of fashion, the bright-colored shirt or tie that is guaranteed to make you stand out in the most diverse crowd, the fine crystal or bone China piece that must have cost a small fortune, the new mechanical gadget or electronic appliance that comes with a manual. These are the gifts that are packed away until, and if, they are needed; put on shelves to be looked at but not touched; or given away to those who can make better use of them.

But these solutions are less than satisfying. They are a disservice to the giver, the gift, and ourselves. The gifts that are hidden away are often lost or forgotten. The fine China, looked at but not touched, may become fragile through lack of use. We may come to need the things that we have given away. Gifts come to us with responsibilities attached to them. We have to use them to the fullest extent that we are able, show them off, or wear them proudly, even the ones that seem less than desirable at first.

What of the gifts that God gives to us: the ones that we don't easily recognize or understand; the ones that seem to be out of fashion; the ones that are sure to make us stand out in the most diverse crowd, make us uncomfortable; the ones that we believe are beyond our skills and talents; and the ones that are certainly too important for the likes of us?

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

"each according to his ability."

We have the assurance that God will not entrust us with gifts that are beyond our skills and talents. We can be certain that our personal feelings of importance and our human sense of fashion and discomfort are infinitely less than His plan for us. The gifts of God, and the responsibilities that go with them, will be given according to our abilities. They are gifts that we are able to use to the fullest extent, show off to all who can recognize them, and wear proudly in His name.

I did not openly seek a specific theme for this issue of The Pioneer. Christians don't need to be reminded of Easter and all that it means. But to my surprise, there is a theme. Each contributor focused on the gifts of God. When I discovered this, I experienced a gentle jolt, like the receiving of an unexpected blessing. As you read this issue, I hope that you too will receive a blessing.