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Faithful Stewardship: Adapt, Act, Align

 

It was a calm Saturday morning, and I decided to do my laundry. As I reached for the last item on the washing line, something caught my eye, a chameleon. Its colors shimmered and shifted with every tiny movement, blending effortlessly into its surroundings. I could not look away. For a moment, it felt like time had slowed down.

 

Suddenly, I was reminded of my childhood. Those were the days when life was simple and full of wonder. My friends and I would roam the neighborhood during school holidays, playing under the warm glow of “tower lights” that lit up the streets at night. We were always curious, always discovering. Whenever we found a chameleon, we would stop everything to watch it move; so patient, so deliberate. Its ability to change colors fascinated us. Looking back, those moments were not just fun; they were lessons in survival and adaptation that I did not fully understand then.

 

Standing there now, watching that little creature, the Holy Spirit reminded me about the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16. Jesus tells the story of a manager who, knowing he was about to lose his job, acted quickly and cleverly to secure his future. In verses 8-9, Jesus says: “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

 

At first, this parable can seem confusing. Was Jesus praising dishonesty? Not at all. He was pointing out the manager’s wisdom, his ability to think ahead and act decisively. The shrewd manager did not wait for the worst to happen. He made the most of what he had, while he still had it. Like the chameleon, he adapted to his environment with precision and purpose.

 

John Maxwell says, “Leaders see more and before.” The shrewd manager looked beyond his immediate crisis and took steps to prepare for what was coming. Leadership, and life itself, is not about reacting to the moment, it is about seeing the bigger picture and moving toward it with intention.

 

This reminded me of another simple yet profound truth from Proverbs 6:6-8: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Like the ant, like the chameleon, and like the shrewd manager, we are called to plan ahead, to make the most of the time and resources we have been given.

 

Here is the deeper question: How are we using what we have? Are we so caught up in the distractions of life, the “tower lights” glowing around us that we miss what really matters? Jesus’ words in Luke 16 challenge us to think about eternity. Are we wisely managing the gifts, opportunities, and resources God has placed in our hands? Are we investing in things that will last, or are we chasing temporary things that fade?

 

As I watched the chameleon slowly move along the branch, I thought about the times in my life when I resisted change, when I failed to adapt, or when I took the blessings I have for granted. Unlike the chameleon, whose instincts guide its movements, we have a choice. We can choose to trust God, to live wisely, and to take purposeful steps toward His plans for us.

 

So, if you will permit me, here is a simple call to action: Be wise with what you have. Learn from the shrewd manager’s foresight, the chameleon’s adaptability, and the ant’s diligence. Look at your life honestly. Are you preparing for what is ahead? Are you using your resources to make a difference that will endure for eternity? God has given us everything we need to thrive, not just for today, but for eternity.

 

The lessons of the chameleon, the ant, and the shrewd manager remind us that life is full of opportunities to grow, to adapt, and to prepare for something greater. Every choice we make today shapes the story we will live tomorrow and the legacy we will leave behind.

 

As I folded the last piece of laundry, I whispered a prayer: “Lord, help me to be faithful with what You have given me. Teach me to see beyond the present, to live wisely, and to always honor You in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

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