The Power of One Talent

By Mark McCrary

In the recent Olympic Games, Stephen Nedoroscik became an instant world-wide sensation when he helped the US men’s gymnastics team win a bronze medal for his pommel horse routine. Nedoroscik’s only talent is the pommel horse– so much so, he’s known as ”Steve the pommel horse guy.”

It is unusual for one team member to do only one routine. As a young man, Nedoroscik loved gymnastics, but struggled with other routines– except the pommel horse.  So, he focused on it. And focused on it. And focused on it.  

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told the parable of the talents.  You will remember, there was the five-talent man, the two-talent man and lastly, the one-talent man.  In the end, the one talent man was condemned, not because he had only one talent, but because he did not use his talent.  

Some Christians have five (or more) talents. They are so active and so good at so many things.  Others may only have two, or even one.  If you feel like you are a one talent Christian, that’s okay.  There’s nothing wrong with having one talent. In fact, there’s great power in just having one talent.  Jesus valued simple service, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). Just a cup of cold water is valuable.

You likely have more than one talent to be used in service to God, but if you really think you only have one, learn two lessons. First from the one talent man: don’t hide it. Second, from Steve Nedoroscik: do that one thing well. Do it over and over and over again for and to God’s glory.

Trusting God in Uncertainty

By Mark McCrary

Life can become burdensome almost every day for some people. The book of Habakkuk wrestles with the sovereignty of God in the face of suffering and injustice. Habakkuk teaches us how to embrace deep, unshakable joy in God, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming.

The Painful Cry of the Faithful (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

Habakkuk begins with a prayer of frustration with the wicked. How could God allow their violence on the poor? Why wouldn't He intervene and save? God’s answer? You haven’t seen the worst of it yet. He would deal with the oppressors in Judah through the Chaldeans (Babylonians) (Hab. 1:6-9).

Three pressing questions arise: Why would a good God allow this? How could a good God allow this? Finally, what would Habakkuk do? Habakkuk’s cry resonates with anyone who has ever felt abandoned in their time of need. He was not turning away from God but earnestly seeking Him.

Here’s the good news: God allows questions, which are a desire for a deeper understanding of His ways. Doubts don’t mean one is unfaithful; they are a testament to deep faith. When we wrestle with our questions, we actively seek a greater understanding of God’s will and character.

God is Still in Control (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

God’s message to Habakkuk is that comfort isn’t necessarily found in the removal of problems but in the sovereignty of God. Either what has come upon us has been put there by God (2 Corinthians 12:7), or it is something God has allowed because of our fallen world: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - God will not allow something in our lives that we cannot, by His power, endure.

This can help us find peace in our struggles. We may not always understand His ways, but we can trust that His plans are for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Things are not out of control. God loves you (Romans 8:36-39).

Trustful Responses (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Understanding that God wants to hear even our questions and that He is in control of everything, what should be our response?

First, maintain your faith in Him.  God declared, “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4). The idea here is more than simply believing in God; it is acting on what He says. 

Second, verbalize your faith in God.  At the conclusion of the book, Habakkuk wrote, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab. 3:17-18).  Saying something out loud makes it more real and commits you to it. Think of the first time you said, “I love you” to someone else. You probably thought about it a lot, but when you said it, things changed.  State your faith verbally to God, not just in thought. State it to a friend. State it to your faith. Habakkuk's faith and trust were deeply rooted in the character and salvation of God. His joy came from the character of God alone (Hab. 3:18-19), not from external conditions.

Finally, know God will strengthen you.  “God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places” (Hab. 3:19).  Move past trust.  Know with confidence that God will be with you. Just as a deer nimbly moves along, know that in the midst of your uncertainty, God will give you the strength to do the same. Know.

Habakkuk’s name means “embracer.” He embraced God and trusted in Him. It is okay to question God and hurt when life isn’t as imagined. Trust in the sovereign God. Put your faith and confidence in Him, not in circumstances.

The Necessity of a Governing Authority

By Mark McCrary

Is slavery wrong? Hopefully, everyone would say unquestionably yes. If asked if it is absolutely and always wrong, again most would say yes. Yet, 150 years ago, a war was fought in our country, and this issue was at the heart of the conflict. So, there was a time (in fact, historically, a lot of times) when people had no problem with slavery. We say yes, they said no. Who's right? Who or what determines truth? If we say society does (which is what we have now determined), what happens in another 150 years when society says slavery is okay? Is that alright then? What about murder? Murder is always wrong, right? Nazi Germany (and the entire Eugenics movement of the early 20th century) didn’t think so. What about pedophilia? To some degree that was acceptable in ancient Greece.

Atheists and agnostics often resist the idea of a higher authority dictating right and wrong. They argue that morality is a social construct, fluid and subjective. Without a divine standard, what we consider wrong today could be acceptable tomorrow based on societal changes. The only way there could be absolute and timeless truth is if there is an absolute and timeless authority behind truth; an authority that transcends social and cultural norms; an authority with wisdom that empowers and enforces that truth.

The Bible teaches God to be this authority. “I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:19).  He has established an unchanging moral law. The Bible is His book of truth, serving as the foundation for discerning right from wrong. For instance, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) provided clear directives on how to live a life pleasing to God to the Old Testament Jews. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasized love for God and neighbor as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40), encapsulating the essence of Christian ethics. The epistles serve as guides to daily Christian living. All of these come from God, not men (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

If there is a timeless, governing authority, then we have an obligation to obey its standards—or break ourselves against them. Our God gives us absolute truths because He loves us and desires the best for us. Yes, they are sometimes limiting, but they limit “for our good always” (Deuteronomy 6:24).  God identifies right and wrong not to make things difficult for us, but to help us. Consider a child who wants to touch a hot stove. Though the child may think it isn’t dangerous, it most certainly is. Children desperately need an adult who understands the absolute truth of the situation and can warn them accordingly. This is what God does for us.

When we acknowledge God's authority, we find a sense of right and wrong that transcends current thinking and social understandings. Society may say LGBTQ issues are acceptable, but God says they are not (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Society may say we can worship as we like, but God does not (John 4:23-24). Society may argue marriage is a social construct, but Jesus said it was established by God (Matthew 19:1-9).

A governing, authoritative source—God—is essential for defining absolute moral standards. Without it, morality is nothing more than a subjective, relative conclusion of flawed, manipulative, limited humanity that inevitably leads to chaos and harm. Only by embracing God’s commandments as found in the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers are we assured of a pathway that is always right and beneficial for us. Though challenging at times, and often counter to the culture around us, it is comforting to know that when we follow His teachings, we choose a path that surpasses man’s momentary whims and leads to Divine acceptance.

The Hope of Spring

By Mark McCrary

Spring is a time of renewal.  After a dark and cold winter, life begins to emerge once more.  Warmth returns, trees blossom, and flowers bloom.  Along the journey of our lives, there are moments that echo the vibrant glories of spring.  Just as the earth emerges from its winter rest, so we also encounter similar moments of awakening and potential for lasting transformation.

Spring is a time of renewed life.  Similarly, this moment in one’s life holds the potential for newfound hope and possibilities.  It may follow a period of uncertainty, when faith has been tested … but resilience forged.  Like the arrival of spring, there is a stirring within the soul – a gentle whisper of hope speaking of brighter days ahead.

Biblically, hope is not merely wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God (Romans 15:13).  As the psalmist declares, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).  So too we trust that God’s faithfulness will usher in a season of renewal.

As spring unfolds its petals, so too can our faith unfold as well.  Just as seeds planted eventually emerge as vibrant flowers, our faith matures and flourishes through seasons of growth and cultivation.  It is a time to nurture our relationship with God, to deepen our trust in His providence, and to surrender to His will.  As we lean into our faith, we are reminded that God can breathe life into the most barren of landscapes, bringing beauty and abundance beyond our wildest imagination.

Finally, spring is a time when the earth is invigorated with fresh energy and purpose.  Similarly, this moment in life holds the potential for renewed purpose.  New opportunities and dreams beckon before us. God’s servant, Paul, stated confidently, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  As we align our hearts with God, we align ourselves to His divine plan – a plan that is marked by hope, abundance, and fulfillment.

Look around as your drive about and pay attention to the new life springing out around you.  So too God can draw new life out of you.  You can experience the blessings that spring forth from a life nourished by God’s loving care.

Seven Things to Remember When Dealing with Doubts – Part 2

By Mark McCrary

Text: Matthew 11:1-14

In our last article, we discussed three things we learned from the event of Mathew 11 where John expressed doubt about the identity of Jesus as the Messiah:

1. Everyone doubts.  John was strong and faithful, but even he was weak at this moment.  We should not be surprised when we go through moments of doubt as well.
2. Express your doubts. When John began to question, he took his questions right to the source: Jesus.  Sometimes when we doubt, we are tempted to bottle them up inside. That doesn’t help. We should go to God in prayer and find others whom we trust to talk with.
3. Circumstances of life cause us to doubt. John’s doubt likely came from his difficult imprisonment.  Our struggles often come in challenging seasons—sicknesses, loss, etc.

There are four other helpful things to remember from this lesson, however.  Let’s dive into them.

Number four: Jesus is Understanding When We Doubt

This is comforting.  Jesus didn’t say, “What in the world is wrong with John?  He saw the Spirit and heard the voice of God!”

We feel that way when we doubt, right? Surely God is disappointed in me. He must be thinking, “What in the world is wrong with them? They go to church! They’ve read the Bible! They’ve prayed and taught others about Me!”  But, how did Jesus respond?  Jesus turns to the crowd and lifts him up.  Jesus understood the stresses John was in and sought to reassure him. And, if anyone was prone to judge John for this “momentary” lapse in faith, He defends John (Mt. 11:7-10).

Isn’t that wonderful? I need to hear that! Doubts from the circumstances of life don’t undo a life of faith expressed in service.  And though faith may be suppressed because of circumstances, that suppression doesn’t mean it is dead. God sees it still!

Number Five: Jesus Doesn’t Want Us to Remain in Doubt

As understanding as He was, though, He did not want John to continue to question.  He wanted to assure him to hold on to what he knew, not let go because of what he felt.

Jesus wants the same from us.  While understanding of our doubts, He wants us to move past those and regain confidence in Him.

Number Six: Listen to Witnesses

There’s great power in a personal testimony; when a person says, “I saw this. It happened to me.” Jesus didn’t just tell John to trust Him.  He performed miracles in front of John’s disciples and said, “Go tell him what you have seen Me do.”

Who are our witnesses? Who tells us when we doubt of what they have seen and experienced personally? Certainly, the apostles would be the first we should turn to.  They witnessed the teachings, the death and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-11; 1 Jn. 1:1-4). History tells us that except for John, all died for their faith. None renounced Jesus or claimed what they taught was a clever lie designed to bring them power and fame. No, they all died confessing Jesus is indeed Lord—even in the face of death. Listen to those witnesses!

But perhaps there are other witnesses we can turn to. People whom we know whose faith remained even through challenges in life.  Brothers and sisters who persevered through cancers, pain, disappointments, and even death.  Though they may not be witnesses exactly the way the apostles were, they are still witnesses to us that faith can be held on to even when difficult.

This brings us to our last lesson…

Number Seven: Hold on to What You Know

The message to John from the witnesses was enough to strengthen him.  John could know these things.  They were to be certain to him.  Jesus’ message: imprisonment isn’t going to end for John well.  Jesus knew he felt uncertain.  But he could face what lay before him with confidence that Jesus was indeed the promised One—Jesus was doing what Isaiah said the Messiah would do.  He would indeed accomplish the work of God’s Messiah and usher in God’s eternal kingdom.  John, hold on to what you know—not what you feel.”

That is our call today.  When you begin to feel doubt, go back to what you know. What are the proofs of God, His word, and His Son that are undeniable for you?

Here is an example to contemplate: The tomb of Jesus was empty, and none have been able to give a credible explanation other than the Bible.  If the leaders took the body to keep it from the disciples, they could have produced it easily when the church started in the book of Acts and ended Christianity very quickly. They could not. If the disciples took the body to begin a movement intended to bring them fame and wealth, they would have admitted so when faced with certain death. They did not.  The apostles knew whether they were telling the truth or lying, yet to a man they gave their lives as a testimony to what they saw and knew to be truth.

Whether it is the above or some other truth you cannot shake, hold on to it.  Don’t define your faith by your doubts, but your doubts by your faith.  That’s what Jesus was calling John to do. That’s what He is calling us to do as well.

Doubts sometimes occupy the minds of those who are not omniscient, thus are a part of our human journey.  Don’t feel ashamed of those moments.  Let’s learn from this story of our Savior and a faithful servant and press on.