From Ordinary to Extraordinary

What is the secret to having extraordinary talents, skills, intellect, and physical fitness and finesse?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17).

The Giver of all good things has imparted to everyone innate gifts. If used for His honor and glory, God will propel us to a level of par excellence. We look at sports figures, Olympic contenders, successful entrepreneurs, etc., and wish for great achievements.

Yet, we overlook our God-given talents or know that we are gifted but do not use our abilities to glorify God. How many individuals recognize their gifts but refuse to use them–burying their talents? For the believer, God uses people to alert us that we are talented in specific areas.

Although I have been writing for 20 years, it was on the advice of my mom [who is also a writer] to compile and submit my devotionals to a publishing company. I reluctantly submitted the manuscript to Christian Faith Publishing company in August of 2020. In 7 days, I received a call from the literary agent that my manuscript had been accepted. Yet, God brought me through a spiritual journey of transformation, which lasted 18 months before the book was published.

Thankfully through His Divine intervention, I endured many months of perseverance through the publishing process to prevent my natural tendencies from taking credit for my gift.

Pray for Divine revelation of your spiritual gifts and talents and how to use them. We were created to worship and honor God. Our finite minds can never equal His Omniscience!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Prayer: God, we have buried our spiritual gifts and natural talents or used them to glorify ourselves. And for this grievous sin, we repent and ask forgiveness. Please give us spiritual insight and direction. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.