How much emphasis do you put on developing your talents? Do you even know what your talents are? When we are young, we are free to experiment and devote our time to learning all sorts of things. Things we enjoy doing, things we want to enjoy doing, among many others. But sometimes, as we get older, we stop pursuing those things we do just because we want to. Sometimes our talents get pushed to the side as we take on “adult” responsibilities. And I think that is a shame. It is a shame and a disservice to ourselves, the world around us, and to God. Yes, it is a disservice to God to ignore the talents He gifted to us.
He gave us certain talents. He gifted them to us and to not develop them is not only a shame, but dare I say, a waste of God’s gifts to us? He wants us to develop them, explore them, and use them as a service to others and to Him.
In our busy and constantly on-the-go world, it is important to set aside some time in our day to explore and develop our talents. It not only brings us joy, but it brings God joy. He wants what is best for us, and using our talents is best for us. Now, not all of us are going to be lucky enough to make a career out of our talents, but all of us can find a couple of minutes to dedicate to something that makes us more whole.
I think it is important to remember that talents don’t always mean the obvious ones that come to mind. Talents such as singing, drawing, etc. are ones that immediately come to the forefront, but they aren’t the only talents. Our God is a creative God. He created us in His image (I know I have touched on this before, but it is something that really means a lot to me) and with that comes ALL the different talents. Being able to balance your checkbook is a talent, especially if it brings you joy! Being able to solve a complicated math problem that makes other people’s eyes glaze over is a talent. Being able to draw a stick figure is a talent! Whatever it is that God has given to you as a gift is a talent. And we owe it to ourselves and to God to find out what those talents are. Do you know what yours are?
Exodus 31:3-5
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
I know what some of mine are, but I know that there are probably more that I haven’t discovered yet. And I know that I want to dedicate more of my time to developing those talents. I have so many ideas in my head that sometimes it is hard to focus. Sometimes I have so many ideas floating around that it renders me inert. And so I end up doing nothing, which is the complete opposite of what I should be doing! And so I have decided to make an effort. I have decided to dedicate some of my time every day (hopefully!) to doing one thing. One thing, one step, however small, towards developing my talents. I feel better, I feel more whole. And I hope, that somewhere down the road (hopefully close!) that doing this will help me become a better person. After all, if we are focusing on what God wants for us, then how can we not become more of the person He is calling us to be? And if we become that person more and more every day, then we will, without a doubt, become better people.
What are YOUR talents?
Roses at Dawn 