How Your Skills and Talents Can Make an Impact

Are you trying to find your purpose? Do you wonder if you have any talents or skills that you can put to good use? Are you wondering what is the best way that you can serve God, what is your calling? To a certain extent, I think most of us have at times struggled with these types of questions. I hope that my recent experience can confirm that you indeed have something to give and that your calling is probably tied to the skills and talents that God has given you.

In Our Family’s Struggle, Others Have Used Their Skills and Talents to Lighten the Load.

It has not been an easy last couple of months for our family. Honestly, it has been hard. My husband was laid off six weeks ago without warning. The job search has been more difficult than expected and now both my husband and I are scrambling to find work. That has come with its own frustrations and rejection after rejection, it eventually starts to take its toll.

To add fuel to the fire, yesterday, our pooch Jack of fourteen years died. It is a dog that my two girls swooned over and loved and cherished. Jack would get good morning hugs and kisses before my husband and I did. He was older than both of them…they have never known a life without him. Now their little world has come crashing down. I miss my Jack, but watching them grieve has been the hardest part of it all.

But this blog is not about my family’s current difficulties. It is about the people around us that have embraced us with their love, generosity, and care. It is about the people that are using their skills and talents for the Kingdom and without knowing, have been a source of strength and exhortation for us during a difficult time.

God Wants Laborers to Come Alongside Him

The Bible says in I Corinthians 3:9 

For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (ESV Version)

We learn here that God is laboring together with His people. God uses His people to achieve His goals. I have seen many miracles and I am thankful for the supernatural things that I have experienced, but I am also thankful for the laborers, for those people that have taken up the reigns of God’s calling. As a result they are having an impact on the Church and its people. Some are affecting millions, others are affecting one person or one family. The work is meaningful in both cases and it is often not traditional ministry work.

I have seen many miracles and I am thankful for the supernatural things that I have experienced, but I am also thankful for those laborers, for those people that have taken up the reigns of God's calling. Click To Tweet

Who have these “laborers” been in my family’s lives during our struggles? There are too many to mention, so I will highlight three, a Christian singer, a Christian author, and a prayer warrior.

The Christian Singer

Christian music has been such a source of strength for me these last few weeks. Today, one song in particular spoke to me, Lauren Daigle’s “Trust in You.”

When You don’t move the mountains, I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through

When you don’t give the answers as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You.

Her words could not have been more perfect for what I was feeling in that moment. And they were a reminder that whether or not I understand the reasons for our current situation, I must continue to trust in Him. The words brought me comfort and reenergized my trust in God. Lauren Daigle has no idea who we are, but her willingness to pursue her talents to praise God are positively affecting millions of people like myself.

The Christian Author

Jenny L. Cote is the author of a series of books detailing the adventures of Max and Liz,* a dog and a cat and other beloved animals. In her books, she takes you through the Bible from the perspective of these beloved creatures. My daughter has read the entire series at least three times and they have helped my daughter fall in love with her Bible. The books have also taught her so much about the culture and history of that part of the world, giving her context that has shown a light on a lot of scriptural texts.

For her birthday, my daughter wanted a Max and Liz themed party. After sending the author a picture of the piñata we made for the party and with no expectation of getting a response, not only did the author respond but she Facetimed my daughter during her birthday party. The party and getting a call from her favorite author has helped my daughter quell the pain of losing her dog. More importantly, her understanding of the Bible, due in large part to what she learned through Max and Liz, is helping her seek the only One that can truly heal and comfort.

The Prayer Warrior

Finally, the prayer warrior. I have a dear friend who I have known for decades. She is a prayer warrior and an encourager. She is bold and she often prays for people she meets at restaurants, on the street, or on the train. One morning she woke up with a thought that she needed to send my husband and I a particular amount of money. What she did not know is that the day before we had gotten an unexpected dental bill for almost that same amount. It was such a God-send for my husband and I. With him being unemployed, extra, unexpected expenses are very overwhelming right now.

What if God’s Women Had Buried Their Talents?

What if Lauren Daigle and Jenny L Cote had decided not to use their talents? What if they had buried them like the lazy servant in the Parable of the Talents (Matthewy 25:14-30)? What if my prayer warrior friend had decided to not listen to that still quiet voice? My family would be struggling so much more now and many other families would have lost the opportunities to have been blessed by them. These three women impacted my family’s life in such significant ways because they chose to be laborers together with Him and use whatever skills he put at their disposal.

I want to encourage you, if you have a talent or a skill, develop it, practice it and put it to use for God’s glory. Not every laborer in the church will be a Pastor or a Sunday school teacher, although those are honorable gifts. Not every laborer will be a famous Christian singer or an award-winning author either. Sometimes just a prayer and being obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit can be so significant. God needs laborers in every walk of life to be an encouragement to His people and to help reach the lost.

Women, Your Skills and Talents Matter.

And I want to speak specifically to you women. Not that men don’t need to hear these words, but I also know how often as women we come to believe our skills don’t matter.  We are many times overshadowed by the accomplishments of men and we think we don’t have much to give (If you are a stay-at-home-mom and feels this way, I encourage you to read, Lies We Believe as SAHMs). Your skills and your talents matter. If you are just starting out in life and want to become a doctor, become a doctor. If you are a stay-at-home-mom, but can write, then write. If you limited because of circumstances, then pray. We all have something to give and as long as we do it for His glory and His purposes, you will be fruitful!

I am interested in your thoughts! Leave your comments below.