"Every person has talent; the secret is discovering what it is and learning the best way to put it into action." Dennis Hatfield, a consultant with the Gallup organization, told a Pastor's Convention in Kentucky, our society tends to use the word 'talent' in a celebrity sort of way, but the reality is "God shapes us with the talent he would have us to have as he sends us into the world. We lack nothing for the purpose to which Christ has called us."

Hatfield encouraged his listeners to stop focusing on our weaknesses, and start building on their strengths. He said society pressures us to improve our areas of weakness, but that is a waste of time. Instead, Hatfield encourages people to manage their weaknesses, by letting someone else do the things they are not good at. He says, if your talent does not match the situation, it doesn't mean you are inferior, it means you're in the wrong place.

Hatfield says human beings find an intrinsic satisfaction from using their talents.

http://abpnews.com/abpnews, February 5, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

The Apostle Paul recognized that the Lord gives every person a unique place in His world and unique gifts to employ in to serve Him, as well as encourage and build up other people. We shouldn't let what we can't do, keep us from doing what God has gifted us to do.

1 Cor. 12:5-7 NIV "There are different kinds of working, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

A broken-hearted stranger left a valuable gift in the seat of an unsuspecting car owner in western Massachusetts recently. When the 37-year-old man returned to his car, he found a $15,000 diamond engagement ring on the seat along with a typewritten note wishing him a Merry Christmas, and stating, "Thank you for leaving your car unlocked. Instead of stealing your car, I gave you a present. Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now."

Authorities say the gift appears to be random. Westborough Police Lt. Paul Donnelly said, "I think there was a search for a car that was unlocked." The man who found the ring says he plans to keep the three-diamond ring with a white-gold band after receiving the $15,000 appraisal.

1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) "God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you."

Not long ago Andrew Lunsford was an unemployed countertop maker in the process of declaring bankruptcy. When the economy went bad, Lunsford lost his business, cars and house. He said he was desperate and miserable and could not find solace anywhere. In the middle of his despair Lunsford found a classical music CD on his desk and played it. The opera music on the disc changed his life forever. Lunsford said he was intrigued by the stylings and wondered if he could make the same sounds.

Lunsford started singing for friends, and several suggested he pursue a new career in music. He met the chair of the Department of Music Theater and dance at Colorado State University, Todd Queen. Queen encouraged Lunsford to get more training. When he did, the aspiring singer received several scholarships to prestigious schools. Now Lunsford is set to graduate next year, and already performing professionally. He says he is thankful for the setbacks that helped him discover his gifts. Todd Queen agrees adding, ”His high notes are incredible. He didn’t know that you shouldn’t be able to do that, and that’s the beauty of it.”

--'Accidental Tenor' Loses Everything, Discovers Voice; http://www.thedenverchannel.com/entertainment/29274822/detail.html; September 23, 2011 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 12:5-8 (CEV) That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. (6) God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. (7) If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. (8) If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.