You Are So Talented! But Does Anyone See?

Growing up, there was a children's talent show that aired every Sunday afternoon called, "Tiny Talent Time", hosted by Bill Lawrence.

Kids of all ages (up to 12 I believe) would come on the show to display their talents, singing, playing an instrument, and I remember a lot of tap dancing too. Who Knew? Maybe it set the stage for AGT?

Though the show was hosted just a few miles down the road from where I grew up, it never entered my mind that I should go on it. But I was a little impressed that these kids would go on live television...at least, I think it was live.

I wonder how many of those kids carried on with their talent?

Which begs the question, what about you?

What's your talent?

You do have at least one you know...

Don’t Sin Against Your Talents

There’s a story in the New Testament that explains the importance of not wasting what we have. It goes like this, A man going on a journey, called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one, he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.102

After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said. “You entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said. “You entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.”

Then the man who had received one bag of gold came.

“Master,” he said. “I knew you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest.”

Given the context, this story has specific applications, but there is a universal truth that is pertinent for any of us, regardless of our background, abilities, personalities, or even our worldview. The talents in this story may have been gold, but whatever it was, each servant was given a significant amount. You may or may not have gold, but you do have talents, and I’m not referring to singing or playing the piano, although those are good too.

You have time, money, abilities, resources, and opportunities, and it is a colossal waste if you do not use them. We are given things to make use of in this world and for the sake of others. But we must choose to put them into practice, and it’s only with practice that we get better at using them. (From: Vantage Point: Five Perspectives to Live a Better Story, page 101-103)

Stop Playing It Safe

We can hold on tight to what we have, and hide it away, or we can take a chance by taking action.

The third servant played it safe, hid his talent, and it was eventually taken away from him, and given to someone else...yikes! I don't want that to happen to me or you.

Take a lesson from the 6-year-old tap dancers...put your talent to use. Let others see it. It's for them.

It always was.

Until next time - Dan