I think this prompt is one of my favorites. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of the writers’ conference I just attended last weekend. To say the conference was motivating and inspiring would be an understatement.

In the final address, keynote speaker Stephen James retold the parable of the talents. He encouraged us, as Christian writers, to use the talents, ideas, gifts, and words that God has given us — not to bury them.

The last quote I have scribbled in my notebook is this: “Take the ideas God gives to you, offer them up to Him, and tell Him you’re not going to bury them anymore.”

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Stephen encouraged us, that “whatever words we write, take them and offer them to the world — but keep your priorities straight, so that one day the Master will say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.'”

What about you?

What ideas have you buried? What opportunities have you turned down because you thought someone else could do it better? What have you forfeited because you thought you didn’t have enough time?

Take hold of those ideas — those God-given ideas — and put them to good use. Invest them and allow them to bring back a return. Don’t bury what you’ve been given.

Offer them up as a living sacrifice to the One who has given every good thing.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” ~ Romans 12:1

This is Day 17 of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. For more posts from this series, click here.