This summer I have been watching the television show, “America’s Got Talent.” For those of you who may not know anything about this show, it is a talent competition. People come from all over the world for a chance to win a million dollars and headline a show in Las Vegas. There is a great variety of acts. There are singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, acrobats, and daredevils, just to name a few.
Many times the judges will ask a performer what it would mean for them to make it through the competition to the next round. Part of the usual answer is that it has always been their dream to perform and have their own show. I am a little disappointed the piano playing chicken from the town I live in didn’t make it very far in the competition. I guess I shouldn’t have put all my eggs in one basket hoping the chicken would win. Yes, pun intended!
So, what does all this have to do with you? What is your dream? What passion do you have in your heart that you will go to extreme measures to fulfill? We are all created with unique talents and gifts. Just because it isn’t your desire to have knives thrown at you or to be shot out of a cannon doesn’t mean you don’t have something incredible to offer.
The fact is, some of these talents are only for a season. I can’t imagine being ninety years old and being shot from a cannon or doing an aerial performance. However, it doesn’t stop people from taking a risk that is greater than themselves.
What I think is tough for the contestants on America’s Got Talent is constantly being judged. Is it good enough? Is the act worth a million dollars? In the end, there will only be one winner on America’s Got Talent. It isn’t that all the other acts are losers, it just boils down to what America and the judges decide. It becomes about preference, not the talent itself.
However, does that stop people from pursuing their talent? No, it doesn’t. In fact, sometimes it spurs them on to become better, and other doors are opened for them to walk through.
Talent comes in many forms other than being in the spotlight for the whole world to see. I believe America’s got more talent than what we see on television.
As Americans who live in the greatest nation on earth, we have the resources, technology, and ability to showcase great talent by using our gifts. Some of the most extraordinary gifts are those which impact other people’s lives every day. We live in a world of amazing medical miracles due to research done by people who are passionate to find a cure or to discover why a disease exists. Technology is at our fingertips every day and constantly changing to improve our lives because people are thinking outside the box. Teachers are constantly learning to find new ways to engage their students in equipping them with the tools for success. There are those who bring us music for our souls and artists who paint and create for our visual enjoyment. A writer can take us all over the world and inspire us with their words and make us feel every emotion without leaving home. Click To TweetA writer can take us all over the world and inspire us with their words and make us feel every emotion without leaving home. We all know someone who we think is an incredible cook or baker because we have sampled their talent. We also know people who have a talent for making us feel better by encouraging us with their words or giving us a warm hug. Talents and gifts come in many shapes, styles, and forms. None is greater than another because just as every individual is unique so are our gifts and talents. Someone may do the same thing you do, but they aren’t you!
How many times have people asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? How many times has that dream changed? Why did it change? Maybe somebody told you that your dream was impossible or you weren’t smart enough. Whatever the reason happened to be, chances are that person didn’t have a dream of their own, or their dream had been dashed. Don’t allow others to discourage or try to put your fire out! Here are four things I believe we need to pursue our gifts and find our talent.
Belief in Your Ability: It is hard to pursue a dream or use a gift or talent if you don’t believe you can succeed. Without belief, it is like trying to get a hot air balloon off the ground without filling the balloon. What makes you think you can succeed? Why is your dream so important to you? What do you hope to accomplish with your gift or talent? God created you with a desire to believe you can accomplish what He created you to do.
Motivation: Motivation is important. It is what keeps the fire burning in your soul to chase your dream. Without motivation, your talent will never become more than a nice thought. You can’t just think about something and expect it to happen. Motivation is whatever keeps you focused on your goal. Motivation drives us to accomplish that which we know we are called to do no matter if it is a daredevil or a teacher. How will you keep yourself motivated to pursue your dream? Sometimes our biggest enemy can be ourselves because we become unmotivated, lazy or we allow our own fears to cripple us. Can you imagine what would have happened if Jesus wasn’t motivated to follow the Father’s will?
Dedication: Dedication is doing what it takes to make your dream become a reality. It can take countless hours and years to make your dream come true. Are you ready to sacrifice time to devote to your talent? Some gifts come very naturally, and others are a lot of work. A synonym for dedication is perseverance. Dedication means being devoted to the task, in spite of the hard work and opposition. Don’t give up or give in based on what others say because it isn’t their dream. There will always be naysayers who will give you a million reasons why you can’t do something rather than tell you why it can be accomplished.
Prayer: One thing we need to do is ask God to reveal our gifts and talents. Once God reveals what He is calling you to do, commit it to the Lord and pray for wisdom. Prayer is our way of communicating with God, and it is how we get to know His voice and discern the truth from lies. God will not give you a talent or gift that He has not already equipped you to use, but it will be your choice. You can either use it to honor God and receive a blessing or lose it.
The difference between America’s Got Talent, and your God given talent is with God there truly are no losers. America’s Got Talent only has one winner. Yes, they may win a million dollars, but the prize you win for using your gifts and talents will bless you and countless others and make you far richer than you can comprehend. God gives you the golden buzzer every time because He thinks you have the most incredible talent!
Kristi says
Great analogy! When God gives us talent & we use it for His glory, He gives us the gold buzzer every time.
Sheila Rhodes says
Kristi,
Thanks for your encouragement and keep using your talents for Him. Hit that Golden Buzzer!
Terri Grothe says
God gives us dreams to show us things is what i believe
Susan Evans says
I wanted to be a writer and a teacher when I grew up, and here I am, living out that dream!
Alice Mills says
Love the encouragement. God gives us the ability to dream, the gifts to make those dreams happen, and the favor to make a way for our dreams.
Amy Christensen says
Sheila, what a great post. I think the thing I struggle with the most is motivation and you hit the nail on the head when you said that often we are the ones to dead end our own motivation. I have thoughts go through my head all the time like, “I’m not a good enough writer, ” “There are already so many other writers out there,” “I don’t have anything new or unique to offer.” How is that for stopping motivation in its tracks! Ha, ha. But I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God gave me an ability to write and an imagination to write fiction and honestly that is my passion….now if I could just stop unmotivating myself! Thanks for the kick in the pants! I really appreciate it. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Toni Ryan says
Love this! Such truth and something I need to hear.
Now, if only I had more time…. LOL
Love you!
Sheila Qualls says
This is an encouraging message, Sheila. I need to remember who the true judge is.
Heidi says
Thank you for this. What an encouragement!
❤️
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Heidi!
You are welcome! You are using your talents to honor God and serve Him in incredible ways!
Cindy says
Sheila, this is perfect for someone you and I both know. Thank you for a timely and encouraging message from God.