The Parable of the Ideas by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 10/12/2006 at 8:15 AM

This week I'm hanging out with writers, editors and publishers at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference near Santa Fe, NM. Last night, the keynote speaker — author and storyteller Steven James  — put a new spin on the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. Speaking to writers, James retold the story in literary lingo. "The first servant," he said, "Jerry B. Jenkins — was given five ideas." The audience laughed. The second servant — Marita Littauer (the conference coordinator) — was given two ideas. And the third servant — "look down at your nametag," James said — was given one idea.

As the story goes, the master entrusted each servant with these "ideas," which he expected them to invest. The servant with five ideas produced five more. The servant with two ideas produced two more. But the servant with one idea wrote it down in a notebook and forgot about it. When the master returned, the servant made excuses for not using his idea. But when he pulled out the notebook to prove he still had the idea, it was gone.

"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" (vs. 29).

Considering this story in these terms is very powerful. How many thoughts or ideas or good intentions have I wasted through the years? How many times did I play it safe because I was afraid I would fail? James pointed out that success is not the goal. "Many of you will be tempted to look for success this week," he said. "But God isn't looking for successful people; He's looking for those who are faithful."

The Parable of the Ideas by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 10/12/2006 at 8:15 AM

This week I'm hanging out with writers, editors and publishers at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference near Santa Fe, NM. Last night, the keynote speaker — author and storyteller Steven James  — put a new spin on the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. Speaking to writers, James retold the story in literary lingo. "The first servant," he said, "Jerry B. Jenkins — was given five ideas." The audience laughed. The second servant — Marita Littauer (the conference coordinator) — was given two ideas. And the third servant — "look down at your nametag," James said — was given one idea.

As the story goes, the master entrusted each servant with these "ideas," which he expected them to invest. The servant with five ideas produced five more. The servant with two ideas produced two more. But the servant with one idea wrote it down in a notebook and forgot about it. When the master returned, the servant made excuses for not using his idea. But when he pulled out the notebook to prove he still had the idea, it was gone.

"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" (vs. 29).

Considering this story in these terms is very powerful. How many thoughts or ideas or good intentions have I wasted through the years? How many times did I play it safe because I was afraid I would fail? James pointed out that success is not the goal. "Many of you will be tempted to look for success this week," he said. "But God isn't looking for successful people; He's looking for those who are faithful."