So You Think You Do NOT Have Talent?

I was visiting a friend of mine who has been nearly totally homebound for several years. I’d just come from the recording studio and was sharing some clips of the new music we were making. She remarked sadly, 

“I don’t have any talent and I’m stuck in this bed and it’s so hard for me to serve the Lord.” 

I was instantly reminded of my study in the Be-attitudes, which is completely changing the way I view my own circumstances. I’m learning to see every conversation through the lens of the Holy Spirit! Well, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to speak the truth in love to this remarkable, sweet lady who is like another mother to me, because I didn’t want her to miss out on ANY blessings. So I asked her:

“How much talent do you think God needs in order to help you live your best life for His glory?”

She replied, 

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

The Holy Spirit took over my response:

“I don’t think God views gifts or talents the way our culture does; that is, as a measure of our potential to serve God. The greatest gift we have is a surrendered heart to God because then HE empowers us to shine for HIS glory. So many of the people in the Bible who made an eternal difference (and are still influencing people thousands of years later) like—the Apostles, Esther and Ruth—are NOT being talked about today because they had some outstanding talent. They all had one thing in common: A heart surrendered to God. Also—they were NOT slaves to their circumstances. Esther wasn’t a slave to her great beauty and Ruth wasn’t a slave to her abject poverty. Paul wasn’t limited in his imprisonment. In fact, a huge part of the New Testament would have NEVER been written if the Apostle Paul thought he was unable to serve God because he was stuck in prison.”

“Serving God is not about our talent or circumstances—it’s about our heart being 100% surrendered to God.”

“You, sweet lady, have a unique opportunity to serve the Lord in ways I do not. You have undistracted time to pray fervently and without interruption. You have the ability to completely focus on encouraging others by texting, phone calls, and social media—without the distraction of having to run a law practice. We’re in a bloody warfare for the hearts and souls of humanity. You are 1000% a necessary part! Even in the regular army, a big shot pilot can’t do anything without the soldiers who provide fuel, maintenance, and especially communications!” 

“Sweet lady, you are the “God communication unit,” and I am desperately in need of your prayers to support our team as we wage spiritual warfare!”

“Your life matters! I need you to pray for the devotionals that are sent out every morning, that the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of Christians and strengthen them. That the Holy Spirit will work in those who do not know Jesus and bring them to His saving grace. I need you to pray for strength and safety for my team. And…I know you ALSO have a list of people you want to come to know Jesus! You have sooo much to do and—you are in a position to do it better than anyone else!”

You know, at the end of the conversation—I knew one thing for certain. It had been as much for me as it was for her. That’s the way of God’s Word and the moving of His Spirit. We tend to get so bogged down in our circumstances—lack of time and talent—we forget God isn’t limited. Many times during the day, I’m learning to pray: 

“God, this law practice is yours, so—the problems are too. God, this ministry is Yours—so You show me what lessons to write, sing, video and deploy for Your glory!”

Isn’t it relieving to know that our best life—living for God’s glory—isn’t about our own talent, circumstances or energy?

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31