What good does paint do in the can? It was created to be used; to provide color, to seal, to cover up scuff marks, to create art and express ourselves. “The paint in the can needs to be applied.”

We can be averse to taking action. Some of us fall victim to ‘paralysis by analysis.’ Maybe the fear of being wrong impedes us. Maybe we feel that we would not apply the paint properly. We need to act even if we don’t know everything we should or feel as if we aren’t completely prepared.

I also use the analogy about chocolate milk. Just pouring chocolate syrup into milk does not give you chocolate milk. It needs to be activated, energized, stirred up.

Too many times we hesitate to act or decide, because we want there to be more information, training, or a guaranteed outcome. If we act 80% of the time while spending 20% of our time analyzing options and are only correct half the time, that is a 40% success rate (80% x 50%). Whereas, if we spend 80% of our time analyzing things and only 20% talking action, then are right all the time (which is highly unlikely), that equals a 20% success rate. By being more decisive, we are more successful, at least twice as successful.

We spend a great deal of time learning about theories, be it business success, personal development, even spiritual enhancement. We seem to have a love affair with theory and an aversion to effort. Some of us even become experts on these theories, reciting them chapter and verse. We seem to believe that prolonged or repeated exposure to theory is enough. However, theories do us absolutely no good unless we put them to use out in the real world. Just attending a webinar or reading the latest blog will not make you a better speaker. We must “pull the trigger” “stir the milk” or “paint the house.” We need activation, stirred up, and energized.

God uses us to execute his plan. It is His paint that we apply with our actions. We are His paintbrushes.

In the Gospel of Matthew is the Parable of the Talents (25:14-30). Servants have been entrusted with talents and when the Master returned, he wanted to know what the servants have done with the talents they received. It doesn’t matter if it is one or five talents, it’s what we do with the talents that matters. Not everyone gets the same ‘paint’. God has given each person a unique variety of gifts, and he expects each to use whatever gifts we’ve been given to the best of our ability. We don’t need the Master returning to see the paint is still in the can or the chocolate syrup has yet to be stirred.

Like paint, we were created to be used. As we work, God works. As we paint, God guides our brush. We must “stir the milk” or “pull the trigger.” Let’s get started and apply His paint. Let’s answer His call, leave a legacy and make a difference in His Kingdom. Rejoice and Godspeed.

The Paint in the Can Needs to be Applied