Are There Clues In The Clogs?

When Even The Ordinary Points To Purpose

If the third time is a charm, then a fourth time might be an alarm! It wasn’t until the fourth time this happened before I realized I might need to listen for a message. What in my world was going on?

It began with a spray bottle of avocado oil. This is my favorite non-stick spray. A relatively new can, suddenly clogged or damaged, refused to dispense my oily expectation. Annoying, but no big deal; I would pick up another bottle the next day. Every southern woman knows butter is better anyway. Avocado spray number two arrived with little regard for her fallen predecessor the day before. So, when this replacement failed to yield all that was within, annoyance grew into aggravation. And, I reacted like any mature mother and full-time employee, chauffer, and chef - I quit cooking for the week!

Imagine that! A completely full bottle of non-stick spray was stuck in its container! All of my efforts to clear, clog, or coerce failed—this may or may not have included screaming, beating, hot water, and a screwdriver. I decided there must be a lesson in all these clogged aerosol sprays. These small-sized ordeals seemed part of a bigger picture. Once my hairspray bottles got involved oh, it was definitely a big mess. Not only did my travel-size backup tease me with only sounds of something coming out, but my heavy-hold behaved just as obnoxiously, spitting big droplets like a camel at the zoo. I demanded an explanation or at least some revelation!

What was the purpose of these riddling irritations? God, seriously, are you talking to me in any of this? He sweetly reminded me of a parable my mom used to always plant in my lunch box, the parable of the Talents. My conclusion: talents and intentions; sowing and reaping.

Everything within us points to our purpose: how we are wired, gifted, or even scored on an Enneagram (personality profile). These talents propel us in the direction of God’s design, aka our purpose. In the parable of the talents Jesus tells of a master who entrusted his 3 servants with one, two, and five talents while he was away. (Matthew 25:14-30) The most pleasing of servants was the one who took his talents and multiplied them for his master’s benefit. What did they do with what they were given?

What have I done with my talents? Have I been intentional? Haphazard? Serendipitous?

Am I full of unused potential? How effective might I be if what’s within could adequately be expressed? Am I tossing out my gifts, hoping somebody might see or hear and benefit? What changes must I make to fully maximize my purpose? Am I like those clogged aerosol cans?

For any stage of our lives, the decision to live on purpose, intentionally using our gifts and talents, moves us closer to the reward of pleasing our Heavenly Father. His plan for us is without flaw or reservation. God has a great purpose that we are to walk courageously in, by His power and for his glory. Good works are waiting for us (Ephesians 2:10).

Reflection

Your talents might be viewed as keys to unlocking your purpose. What are you doing with your talents? Consider how intentional you’ve been in using them.
Jesus’ parables either confused the religious scholars, convicted the open-hearted, or confirmed what his disciples already knew. To which group do you relate? Why?
Jesus’ parables either confused the religious scholars, convicted the open-hearted, or confirmed what his disciples already knew. To which group do you relate? Why?

Goals

List three action steps you can take that will launch your purpose.

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together.’”

(Matthew 25:23 NLT)

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago..”

(Ephesians 2:10 NLT)