I remember my grandma used to say
it now and then.
Particularly when someone in the family faced some difficulty...
She'd advise:
"You have to play the hand you're dealt."
The quote, of course, comes from card games... and the need to do the best you can with whatever cards you draw.
But it has application to all of life...
Including our role in fulfilling the dominion mandate...
In the Parable of the Talents (Mt.25:14-30), Jesus tells of a master who entrusted three servants with varying amounts of property... according to their ability.
One was given five talents, another two
talents... and the last was given one talent.
While the master was away, the first two servants got busy and increased the talents they received.
But the third servant did nothing with his talent, but bury it in the ground.
When the master returned, he praised and rewarded the servants who were good stewards with what was entrusted
them.
But he cursed the servant who had been faithless with his solitary talent.
Now...
Note well... what mattered in this parable was NOT the number of talents each servant had...
It's what they did with them... whether their talents be
many or few.
And that's a good thing to remember when you consider your own place in life... as you seek to rule and cultivate your part of the earth.
God has put us all in different situations, with different gifts and resources... all according our abilities... and the purpose He has for each of us.
And what matters is
whether we're faithful with what He's put under our control.
So don't moan about what you lack.
Make the most of what you have.
As my grandma would say...
You have to play the hand you're dealt.