Talents

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you have that name.  I Peter 4:16

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I have not a single bit of talent left and can say, “I used everything you gave me.”  copied

Talent is defined as a natural ability or skill.  I’ve always heard it said that everyone has a talent, no matter how large or how small; the important thing is that you use it in a positive way.  I’ve known people who have enormous talent, but they put it on a shelf and don’t or won’t use it.  Others, share so unselfishly of everything with which God has blessed them .

In anticipation of the Super Bowl where athletic talent seems to abound, I wanted to name some folks I know personally who in the course of their lives, have exhibited and still exhibit talents of a different kind.  Their talents may not gain acclaim or notoriety in the media, but they surely do speak of their courage, faith, peace, love, joy and service.   These are just some of the folks who recognized the source of their talents and set about using them according to His good purpose.

First, I think of Tom.  I’ve never known Tom outside of his wheelchair where polio placed him as a child, but I’ve never known him to be without a smile on his face or an encouraging word. He is so good at never complaining that I don’t even see his wheelchair when I see him.   He uses his engraving business as a mission, and he volunteers for almost everything from teaching Sunday School to serving on committees.  He is such a disciple for Christ in everything he does.  A loving man who  uses his talents while dealing with disabilities.  I can’t think of anyone he doesn’t touch in a positive way.

Secondly, I think of Will.  Imagine being a sighted teenager, having surgery, and waking up in complete darkness! At that moment, his life changed, and he had to reinvent himself to cope.  Yet, he has a ministry through jewelry, massage therapy, humor, singing, and just uplifting every person with whom he comes into contact.  You won’t leave him without a God Bless You from him.  He uses his talents for the good of others and in doing so passes on the joy of life.

Next, there was Robert, a gentle giant of a man who spewed talent from every pore in his body. His huge smile, laugh, compassion, concern, empathy, and love, bonded people to him in an unbelievable way.  Imagine a voice like his being used unselfishly to bless people and to offer praises to his God.  Whether he sang classical or a spiritual, when he began, it was as though God himself stood with him.  A man who was just at home preaching, teaching, singing, or just socializing, he was always using his talents to bless others.

Finally but never least,  there was Grace.  Tell me how a fourteen year old girl can manage to amass such courage, bravery, fortitude, faith, hope, and love without totally employing each talent she had been given and inventing others she didn’t even know she had?  So many lives were touched and God’s love exemplified through this one solitary life.  If you know of her, then there is an area of your life that will never be the same because she touched you.  A young girl who used her talents in amazing ways.

We can’t all be as remarkable as these, but all of us have something to offer to make this world a better place.  God bless us everyone.

(Love Drew Brees even though he didn’t make the Super Bowl!)