The story is told of a man visiting a farmer who was going through hard times. He wondered what had gone wrong, so he asked the farmer, "Did you have a poor harvest this year?" The response quickly came back, "I didn't have any!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," his friend sympathized. "Didn't you even get corn?" "No, and I didn't plant any. I was afraid we wouldn't get enough rain."

"Well, what about your potatoes?" He exclaimed, "I decided not to plant any because I was afraid the bugs would get them."

No wonder this man didn't reap a harvest! He was so apprehensive that he didn't even try to raise anything.

This fictitious story reminds me of the unfaithful servant who was punished for his failure to make good use of the money entrusted to him. Because of fear, he put it away "in a handkerchief" (Lk. 19:20). He played it safe--and lost.

The parable of Luke 19 can also apply to the talents the Lord has given us. He wants us to use them for His glory, and not be so anxious about failure that we play it safe by doing nothing at all.

Let's seek God's will in prayer and then dare to do as He commands!  — Richard De Haan