Talented?

Recently, I’ve been looking into Bible journaling–illustrating Bible verses (or prayers, sermon notes, etc.), usually right in a Bible specifically designed for that. I talked a bit with a lady who does that, mentioning that I’ve thought about doing it but I’m not a very good artist.

I started coming up with ideas for this Bible journaling stuff. “I could do this image for this verse, and ooo, this would look nice, and–” You get the point. But I said to myself, “I have a creative mind but not creative hands.” (In other words, my ideas don’t turn out how I envisioned them.)

And then I felt a prick. “Why do you say that?”

Why do I? Why do we?

I’ve heard person after person after person I know say things like: “I’m not good at that”; “That’s not my thing”; “Oh, it’s not that good”; “I can’t do X.”

I get the whole not wanting to be/appear proud and wanting God to get the glory and all that.

But is it giving God glory when we say we can’t do this or aren’t good at that (and we actually can do it, and would probably get better at it if we tried and practiced and put ourselves into it)? Isn’t that *gasp* lying?

So I’m not the greatest artist. But I have created some nice, recognizable things, and they (usually) get the idea in my mind across. And shouldn’t it be about having fun and using your talents and perhaps spreading joy/encouragement to others, more than creating a picture that everyone admires?

So you’re not the greatest singer. But where in the Bible does it say you need to sound uh-maazing in order to sing? Isn’t it the attitude, the reason, that matters? “Make a joyful noise to the Lord,” Psalm 100:1 tells us–joyful noise, not stunning melody.

I could go on, but I think you get the point.

… The gospel of Matthew tells us that there is something more dangerous than taking in something bad, and that is speaking out something that is bad. 
When God hears you speak about your meeting as terrible, your car as crappy, your kids as ungrateful, your husband as lazy, your town as small, your house as cramped. . . His response is: If you say so. You will feel how you speak and find what you seek. 
Likewise, there is power in speaking out something that is good. 
… You have great power in your speech that can unleash a forceful fury that can create, tear down, build, heal, or hurt. 
…
It is up to you whether the self-fulfilling prophecies you articulate become a delight or a dungeon. …

Levi Lusko, devotional plan “I Declare War: 4 Keys To Winning The Battle With Yourself” (underlining added)

“You will feel how you speak.” If we say we’re not good at this or can’t do that or – or whatever, then we will begin to believe/feel that. And when you believe you can’t do something, you can’t, right? If I believe I’m not a good artist, then I won’t even try to create art, and then I definitely won’t be good at art!

People do have different talents; some are better at certain things than others are. But I think that we would become (to an extent) better at (at least some of) the things we say we aren’t good at, if. we. would. try. If we would put ourselves out there, into it. If we would believe in ourselves, believe in God and the power/talent He has graced us with. If we would focus on the reason and the attitude more than the ability or outcome.

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

Henry Van Dyke

P.S. Thanks for reading my, ahem, rant, which hopefully made sense. 😄 What do you think about this topic?