Requirement

Today is our first Cross Country meet of the season. When we travel to meets, I often write something or find something for the kids to read as motivation. Today I wrote about a quote from my Track days; this post is an extention of what the kids are getting:

When I was running Track in high school, I had a very large, very intimidating coach, Coach Willis. One of his favorite quotes to yell at me was this: "To whom much is given, much is expected, Fisher!" It still rings in my ears, I can hear his exact tone and inflection. Every time I complained about having to do more events than the others or having to run the hardest leg of a relay, this was his short, hard response. And it ended up being one of the most encouraging phrases of my highschool running career. I didn't mind the extra effort when I knew he saw so much in me.

Back in high school, I didn't know that phrase was actually from the Bible. And according to my Biblical languages scholar husband, a closer translation says: "to whom much is given, much is required." (Luke 12:48) It's quite sobering isn't it? I have been blessed with many gifts, and it is not just expected of me, but required of me to use them for the Kingdom.

Today my team is required to bring home a 1st place team trophy, at least 5 individual medals, and at least 6 times under 20 minutes. It is my requirement of them. And it is not unattainable. I know how fast they are, how strong they are, how much pain they can endure... I know what they are capable of more than they do themselves. I expect it's the same with God. What does he see in me, that he put in me, that he is requiring I use for His glory?