What is God given talent? Whether we own up to it or not, we all have something. You’ve heard sports pontificators declare gifted athletes have a lot of natural ability. You hear it about entertainers, great writers, great orators…. Whatever it’s called, it had to come from somewhere. If you view the world as I do, it all comes from God our creator. But that raises issues for the Godless, doesn’t it? Self-centered and world-influenced people who achieve all by themselves and are unwilling to credit anyone, mortal or supernatural, for helping along the way. Personally, I like the assurance of knowing that the most powerful Force ever has my back, controls my future, and works hard to keep my compass pointed in the right direction. I just have to make sure I listen.
I’ve heard some great athletes, when being congratulated on a spectacular performance, before saying anything else declare they give all Glory to God. Usually, it’s a live interview otherwise we might not hear that part. I saw a recent interview of Ashley Batcher who starred in the movie Unplanned. She was asked how she felt about the possibility of being blacklisted by Hollywood. She said she didn’t care adding that God gave her the talent to act and she was going to use it to glorify Him. I saw that interview on a Fox morning program, but couldn’t locate a link of the clip. Take a few minutes to view this video interview by Rev. Franklin Graham at Facebook Watch. Awesome.
All of us have talents. Gifts of some sort. When we do not know God, we leave the door open for other forces to use our talents and direct our lives.
Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
To steal from Rush Limbaugh, let’s assume we all have talents on loan from God. But if we do not accept that there is a God, what authority guides use of our talents? Deep question isn’t it. Is it the reigning culture? Is it some other supernatural force? If we don’t believe in God, are we not vulnerable to some other life guide? One without boundaries? Realize here, that I’ve included you in another of my self-chats.
The favorite questions for non-believers and those trying to justify for themselves their own place in the world are: If there is a God, why did he let that mass shooting happen? Why did he let the Holocaust or other genocides happen? Why did he let 9/11 happen?
Do you feel the answer needling you just a bit?
God didn’t allow those atrocities. Just as he did not allow Himself to be removed from our public schools – taken away from our children when they’re most vulnerable. Just as he did not allow us to kill more than 60 million unborn children.
People who did not know God are responsible for these acts.
Following our most recent mass shooting in Texas, all the politicians were out there looking to remove inanimate objects from the hands of law-abiding citizens. There are all sorts of ways to restrict freedom and taking away weapons of war being tossed around. I heard one former Congressman, now news commentator, declare that there must be a bipartisan push to solving this problem adding there is no one size fits all solution.
Oh, but there is Congressman. We can invite God back into our shattered lives and culture.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:4-6 (NIV)
© 2019 JD Pendry – All Rights Reserved
E-Mail JD Pendry: jd@jdpendry.com
Website: Pendry’s American Journal
