#111of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney #Talent

Today’s lesson is about our talents. Let’s face it, some people are naturally gifted at some tasks and others well not so much. I am that way with my hands. I am not mechanically inclined. I can lift. I can hold. I can screw something in. I can help. But I am no engineer, nor am I a handyman. In my family, we called it the MacGyver Gene. My dad had it. One of my brothers has it. My other brother has the I-want-be-MacGyer-Gene. I’m thinking it is a recessive gene and I just don’t have it. It bothers me some days. I feel down or less of a ‘man’, whatever that means, because of it. I want to get more mechanical and I am able to do more than I used to, but I am not MacGyver.

I am blessed though with friends who are. I had one friend come over and replace an exhaust fan in my bathroom. I had looked at it in my mind and thought I could do it, but after I saw the whole process I don’t think I could have. Maybe now, I might be able too, but I don’t know. The old adage of see one, do one, teach one, doesn’t always play for me.

This lack of a MacGyver Gene, or its cousins, can be seen in everything we do. We look at people’s weakness and try to turn them into strengths instead of looking at their strengths and making those even stronger. I will never be a world champion weightlifter. I will never be an awe-inspiring baker. It doesn’t want to be. But should I spend all my time on it? No. I should look at what I’m good at and try to get better. This isn’t saying you can’t find a hobby or something you are passionate about, but rather we should focus on our strengths. In the workplace, we try to take techie folks and make them managers for a promotion. We try to take the best athletes and make them coaches. This isn’t always the best path. We should look at our God-given talents and fully develop them.

From Meet the Need

“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 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.” – Exodus 31: 2-5

“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded:” – Exodus 35:10

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

God has specifically chosen us to fulfill his plan. Some of us are artists, some leaders, some workers, some speakers, some educators, some parents, some lovers, some a bit of everything. I was not chosen by God to be a handyman. I was chosen by God to help lead, to serve, and to spread his word. Those are my skills. I can do other things but need help. I need those who are chosen by God to help me in those aspects. To share their gifts and abilities. To compliment mine skills to complete the task or mission at hand. When we focus on what we are good at and build those connections with others, we are stronger as a people, a community, and servants of the Lord.

Can you recognize your God-given talents? Do you know others who can compliment your weaknesses? Do you know others whom you can complement with your strengths?

I am open and willing to learn (with the help of God)