Q. Can you play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. Have you ever tried to play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. So how do you know you can’t play the trumpet?

Most of us know the passage well, and we have probably heard many sermons that remind us that we must use the gifts God has given to us. Whatever gifts and whatever level we are blessed with, there is a role for them in God’s plan.

The standard sermon continues by telling us that it’s not good enough just to use them – we must develop them – just as the trustworthy slaves invested the talents they were given. No point on having gifts if they aren’t used.

This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance, to paraphrase 1 Timothy.
But the Gospel message doesn’t end there.

It might not be the trumpet. Or the Clarinet. A Trombone, Double Bass, a singing voice. It may not be music at all. If not, there are many other skills you may have been given that you are not yet aware of: artistic talent, hospitality, compassion, intercession, forgiveness, unconditional love. There will be some. And I challenge you to think, pray and try to find out what they are.

At the very beginning of His teaching ministry, Jesus sets out the foundation of everything that His disciples will need to understand in order to follow Him. He says nothing about power. He talks about mercy, humility and peace; He tells them to be prepared to suffer for doing His will. He lists the attributes of a servant. Nothing could be further from the wordly values that consider the achievement of ‘success’ consists of subduing every opposition. Neither, in the kingdom of God, is there any place for vengeance; even after the most appalling treatment or behaviour, we must not seek revenge.

We hear Jesus’ words, and we try to comply. We pray for peace, but the world clearly doesn’t want it. We feel utterly powerless – we cannot imagine how our prayer can be answered in the face of such anger and hatred. Often we feel utterly powerless. What can I do? Could I possibly make a difference?
The answer is yes. It only needs a kind word. A helpful gesture. Support for those who are hurting or suffering injustice. A reconciliation where there has been division. An acceptance of difference in others. Every servant act adding another path to the Kingdom. Most of all, we make a difference through love – unconditionally.

“Why should we love our enemies? The first reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition.”…

…“Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Martin Luther King Jr