Skills, Talents and Gifts

Did you know that I like to play golf? Yes, that is probably redundant for most of you reading this, but I just wanted to make sure that you knew that about me. Golf is a skill that I am learning. I wish I could say I was a talented golfer, but that is not the case. Maybe that is part of the allure of golf for me is that it is something I need to learn and perfect, it doesn’t come naturally.

Now I am not a born klutz, but I also don’t have a natural talent for sports either. Back in the day I played collegiate softball and basketball so I could hold my own. I was part of the team not so much for my physical abilities, but for my mental abilities. I had the basic skills and I used my mental skills to anticipate. This helped me to compete against others that had natural talent but hadn’t put the effort into it to develop that talent to its full potential.

When you think about talent often it is in reference to music. Music is another area that I have a passion for but I was not blessed with that natural ability or talent. I work and practice to improve my skill on the guitar and I am so grateful for the music team at TRC for allowing me to play with them as I continue to improve this skill.

We all know of people that are very talented musically or even physically some have even honed their talents and excel. But then there are those that are gifted.

So what’s the difference between being talented and being gifted? Both come naturally and those that are talented may be gifted. The people with a gift except and cherish that gift as something that they didn’t earn or deserve. It is not theirs and can be taken from them. A gift is God-breathed. Those with a gift may not be the most technically proficient but they have a heart that is pure. That is probably the biggest difference is the purity of heart.

I have many skills and I try to keep learning new skills as I go. I have a few talents and these I continue to develop as you would a muscle. I have a gift that I didn’t create or earn it is God-given and I am only asked to be a good steward of it and to cherish it as the gift it is and to not become prideful in it and thus tarnish it, to keep my heart pure.

So today I would ask you what is your gift and do you respect it?