When I read this for the first time, I said, "That's for me God! Yes I see that now! Thank you!" You see my dreams, my gifts, my talents, my interests, my passions, actually do revolve around artistry and creativity. I love writing, drawing, painting, crafting, creating, and so on. They make me feel alive! Unfortunately, at this stage of my life, I have belittled these dreams and talents into trivial hobbies I don't have time for. But if I get right down to it, it's not about time (although that will be something I have to figure out), it's really about FEAR, and not just fear, but the fear of FAILURE. I have not pursued my gifts and talents because I fear failing. In fact, as I read the blog post Ann Voskamp shared with this image, this line stood out to me:
"You either bury your fear in faith. Otherwise you bury your talents."
That's exactly what I have been doing. I've been burying my talents because of reasons or excuses rooted in fear. I don't believe I'm good enough or talented enough, someone is already doing that or someone better could do it, no one really cares what I do or say or create - I could write an entire blog post on the thoughts and excuses (or really lies, thanks Satan) behind this, but you get the idea I hope. I'm guessing I'm not alone in this either. What a great tactic of Satan's isn't it? To feed you lies that keep you from using the very gifts God has given you to bring purpose to His kingdom and ruin what joy he can, to get you to bury your God given talents in fear, instead of burying them in faith. Only now am I seeing the spiritual battle in this.
Now I have chosen to act in obedience and given my talents over to faith instead of fear, I feel more alive and happier! God created me, and you, with a unique mixture of talents and gifts to bring Him glory. I knew this, but I have failed to learn what all of mine were and failed to give them the credit they deserve. I built a career around my gift of teaching and find ways to use it staying at home with my toddler, but my other gifts have been given no real attention, especially in the last few years of my life. So now after listening to God's whispers, or shouts, I am currently on a journey to understand, develop, and use my talents and gifts according to His purpose, to recognize the worth in them, and, in turn, in me.
And here's some additional, awesome encouragement. How many times in the Bible has God given us examples of people who thought they were nothing or were treated like they were nothing, who didn't have fame or weren't known for possessing extraordinary talents, and yet He still chose these seemingly ordinary people, who He--the creator of the universe--uniquely created and gifted, and used them to do extraordinary things. I don't have to be the best writer in the world for God to use my blog or anything I write. I simply have to obey, and trust that He will use my meager offering of my talents to do something amazing. So this right here, what you're reading now, is another baby step of mine, this blog post. I'm not sure what the Lord is going to be up to with this little blog of mine, but I will leave those details to Him.
What are some dreams that you've pushed aside due to fear of failure? What talents are you afraid to use or don't you use? Did God bless you with a gift that you under-utilize or wonder if He even gave you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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