Encouragement

Fear and Hidden Talents Part 1

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
07/08/14
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In 2008, I shared some articles here on Faithwriters which I later removed such as the pieces to do with the topic of adultery. I wasn’t sure that I was using those pieces the way God wanted me to use them and I didn’t want to cause undue hurt to others. Each time I read those articles I would hurt and so I realised that I personally needed to be healed from the pain of rejection before I could begin sharing pieces of that nature.

Before removing the pieces, I was encouraged by comments left on those articles as well as emails received. I heard from individuals who were experiencing pain from adulterous activities (hurting partners as well as adult-children who had been hurt by their parents’ separation and was bearing the mark of those consequences--watching history repeat in their own families).

Someone encouraged me to forgive my father and to pray for his salvation. I was also encouraged to share my story in a book so it could help others. I heeded the call shared my story and the lessons I have learned, in ‘Embracing Forgiveness’ which was published March 2014. On the morning of June 26, I read some of the original pieces I had posted and was convinced that they were written not just to help me heal but also to help others grow in the area of sharing as well as dealing with the sin of ‘sexual immorality’.

Why do we hide?

The simple answer is ‘fear’. I was encouraged by many yet I chose to remove the articles because I wasn’t comfortable touching on ‘taboo’ topics. I didn’t want to lose connection with others because I spoke out about those areas we prefer to leave untouched. I became afraid. I feared being the ‘hated one’. I hid that one talent.

Thinking back on the parable of ‘The Lost Sheep’ found in Luke 15:3-7 it makes me happy that I had removed the articles because it gave me the opportunity to critique my own work to see whether or not there were anything that could have caused pain to others. The parable gives us a picture of how the ‘Good Shepherd’ wants us, His followers, to treat the ‘lost sheep’. Jesus related in that parable that the one lost sheep was dear to Him as the ninety-nine that were safely home. It was important for me to share from a place of love rather than a place of anger. I wanted those who were committing the sin being dealt with to acknowledge their sin and reach a place of repentance. I did not want them to feel condemned.

When an individual reads any of the written pieces I share, I want God’s Word to do the convicting bringing them to a place of repentance so that there will be rejoicing in heaven. Majority of the articles I write are based on edifying the saints. If one of my brothers or sisters have made a mistake, I want to clearly point out that mistake, encouraging them back on the right path, not to make them feel condemned. However, I know that non-believers also read my articles and they too must be given the opportunity to recognise the error of their ways and make a choice to either step out of darkness into light or remain in the darkness, if they so choose. Either way, it is not for me to condemn. We each have a choice to make with regards to our salvation and no one can make that choice for us.

Re-posting of Articles

My intention is to re-post some of those pieces I have removed. They serve no purpose being hidden. If that is the area in which God has chosen to use me then I must be obedient and let my light shine in that area of darkness. Matthew 5:14-16 highlights this importance. I am therefore sharing this piece to encourage all who have been touched by fear in hiding your talents to continue shining your lights in the areas where God has called you to shine.

We sometimes watch our loved ones sink deeper into sin while we have something to share (often privately) that would help them find their way, yet we refuse to break the silence. Unfortunately, that is not ‘love-in-action’, it is a camouflage of ‘keeping-the-peace’. It is actually a selfish way to live because it says, “I don’t want to be the odd one out so I’m keeping silent.”

There are times we remain silent out of fear of what others may think of us or fear of relationships being fractured. That is our human nature. We want to feel accepted by others. I don’t believe anything is wrong in wanting others to accept us (especially those we are connected to such as family members, other relatives and friends).

God created us for relationships. In order for those relationships to develop, we must accept the people God has placed in our lives and maintain those relationships. That means listening to each other, trying to understand each other’s point-of-view, forgiving each other, reconciling with each other and doing what it takes to encourage healthy growth in those relationships. Failing to do the above is a sure way of starving those relationships of the nourishment needed for them to mature.

Shine that light!

To my fellow writers, educators/teachers of the Word, write to edify, not to condemn. If you are an orator, speak in like manner. Speak to edify the saints or those waiting to join the saints. Let the Author of your soul be glorified in what you say and how you say it. Ensure that your words compliment your action.

If you have allowed fear to stop you from shining, like I once did, then please pick up that pen and begin to write again. Write that article, that poem, that story, that devotional, that speech or that sermon, you have been convicted to write.

Then deliver it!

Share the written piece so that others can benefit from the inspiration you have received.

When you are called to speak, deliver that speech as an oracle for Christ.

Now go for it!

Your obedience is needed in fulfilling the ‘Great Commission’.

Here’s to letting our lights shine!

“‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven…’” (Matthew 5:14-16).