The World's Great Talent Search

No this post is not about American Idol (although I do love it.) I have been thinking alot about my talent lately. And then we got on the subject at our life group last week. And then I got a devotional in my inbox about the very same subject.

"Okay God. I am listening"

So I started really thinking about talents. We explored this topic at our life group last week. After stewing on the topic for a few days, something hit me. People are confused about what talent actually is. There is talent by the world's standards and then there is the true talent that God gives us shine our light into the world.

Now I have always believed that everyone has a talent. That "something" (for lack of a better word) that they have a knack for doing better than most of those around them. Everyone has a talent.

Now this talent may be the gift of music- maybe they sing or play an instrument. It could be that he/she is a good public speaker or you can design great graphics on a computer. Or it may just be that you always have a good attitude. Maybe you just inject positivity into a situation.

That's right. Something so small as saying "Thanks and you have a great day" to the girl in the drive-thru at McDonald's is a talent. Holding the door open at church and greeting everyone who enters with a smile. That's a talent.

That's right. See it's the world that decided that a talent was some huge skill that only few people possessed. A talent is not something that everyone has, but something that sets a small group apart from the rest of us.

But that is just not true. To God (the one who gave us these talents in the first place), no talent is a small talent. Greeting people with a smile when they come into His house on Sunday morning is no less important than leading a rockin' worship service. Serving kids some breakfast in Kid's Church is no less than teaching the lesson.

As long as it furthers His Kingdom, as long as it is for His Glory and as long as we use it to bring others to Him, that is all that matters to Him.

It's not what we do or what we can do- it's what we do with it. That's all that matters. It's who we do it for. If we do it for our own glory, then we will get no where.

And for those of you out there who are unsure of what their talent is, don't worry. As long as you are focused on God, he will reveal it to you.

And I think that God gives us different talents for different times in our lives. You may have been afraid of speaking in public, but have been called to give your testimony in church. God will grant you the talent to match the situation you are in. If he wants to use you in such a way, he will provide you with the tools and talents that you need.

So stop the World's Great Talent Search, and start concentrating on the opportunities that God gives you to work for Him. Start looking for those whose lives you can touch. God will give you the words and tools that you need.