PEACE AS PROPERTY: A Reflection

What has God given you and how do you make use of them?

Journey with me as I make my own reflection on this question:

Literally, I made an inventory of what I have and as I made my list I realize how extensive the gifts that God has given me. I am not only endowed with material resources but also talents and time. And as I looked at my list of resources available to me, I recognize that I am not wanting after all. In fact, I have more than what I need.

I would like to point out one thing in particular: my former weakness for clothes, shoes and bags. I had been giving away some of them before God healed me solely not out of generosity but also for lack of space or boredom or not being able to use them because I had plenty. I had given away a number of them but there are still more to dispose. The difference this time is that it is coming form a realization that I can live with only a few for clothes do not define me. And even when I am wanting in one area there is no reason that I can not give for “no one is so poor that he can not give and no one is so rich that he can not receive” as the saying goes.

I have a talent for card making. What is very fulfilling about this hobby is that as I work on them it is also an occasion for me to pray for the recipients even if I do not know them. When my work is appreciated, it is only the bonus. The real value of the card is God’s manifestation of His glory! Every time I finish one, I marvel at the glory God has revealed through it for it is God’s talent and not mine. This is the solemn part of my work: the contemplation of God’s grandeur and majesty. When one is able to produce something that only starts as an idea is no ordinary thing. God has made me a sharer of His power and creativity. Isn’t God so generous?

I have learned public speaking from the Toastmasters and it has helped developed my capacity for speaking. I used to be very fearful of public speaking but the opportunities given me took me out of my shell. In my quest for excellence, I realized that I only get to develop my skills more by responding proactively to the challenges of the moment. For example, when the assigned speaker is not around, or when others need training and mentoring. I may have developed myself and helped others but the glory is not mine or anyone else but God’s. Everything comes from God. Every achievement is a glory of God revealed.

Have I articulated in my life the principles of stewardship? I can only cite a few things representing the variety of treasures God has given me. But what do all these things suggest? Nothing is possible by my own efforts. All is grace. Whatever goods or talents I possess they are never mine and can never be mine. These are all God’s given to me. I am just a steward.

How can I show God my appreciation for entrusting His gifts to me? It is by making use of them not only for my own benefit but for others as well. And even while in the process of developing these resources I can already share them with others as the examples above show. One good thing about the potentials God has given me is that I do not have to wait to share or serve others until they are fully developed. Even the bad choices that I made in the process of developing myself into what God has planned me to be are not lost. Like a diamond, God smoothens out my rough edges. Surely, God has a hand in redirecting my life to get to where He wants to bring me in the future.

What is the greatest possession one can have in life? PEACE. When our possessions possess us there is no peace. We are always on our guard. Our time is spent guarding our prized possessions. Our talents are spent on amassing them. Our treasures are spent on guarding them. It is a cycle. Our time, talent and treasure are supposed to be enjoyed or to benefit and not to harass or harm. But if the GIVER of such possessions possesses all that we have we are at peace because He is the one who appropriates what we have. Peace as property is stewardship in its positive and affirmative sense of God’s talent, treasure and time given us.

When God gives us a talent, it is meant not only for us but also for others. It is up to us: either to dig a hole and hide it or to open our doors and share it.