Yet from Augustine’s point of view (and ours, too) time is an accumulation of events that is leading to a cataclysmic summation, which will bring about the Second Coming of Christ. But something not quite as cataclysmic (at least I pray not so) are the events of our own lives. What are the events that we are accumulating in our lives? Are they God-honoring events? Are they events preparing us for Jesus’ Return?
Let us think about the parable again in relation to this question of “Where am I?” The master has entrusted these precious gifts to His beloved servants. These gifts are for the benefit of servants. In pouring out the gifts, the servants will grow up into their calling, but the one servant refuses. He fears a lack in the kingdom and sets about preserving his talent, his life. In so doing, he will lose his life.
Living and moving by hope, our lamps are burning deep in the night, looking toward the faithfulness of God.
God will keep bringing Christians like that into our lives that are a little bit different than us, that may aggravate us initially. They may be the ones that have something for us. They may have a truth that we need to hear, so we need to be patient with them. They may not be perfect, but neither are we. They’re often broken people just like we’re a broken people.