I’m sure many of you have heard the story of David and Goliath. You’re probably familiar with the heroic faith of David, who defeated Israel’s largest enemy.
There’s a part of this story that you may not be so familiar with. I’m talking about one of the events that led up to this epic showdown:
Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.
“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
-1st Samuel 17:38-40
Saul offered his own armor to David. This was quite an honor, but there was a major problem: David was only a teenage boy, and King Saul was a tall, impressive physical specimen. Simply put, Saul’s armor didn’t fit David. It probably looked like a toddler trying to wear his Dad’s shirt. Even if had fit, David had never worn armor before. He wasn’t a soldier—he was a simple shepherd boy.
David opted to use the humble weaponry of a shepherd—a staff and a sling. We know what happened from there. God gave David a glorious victory!
Why am I talking about Saul’s armor? We have a tendency to compare our talents with the talents of others. Sometimes we obsess over the things we can’t do instead of improving on the things we can do. It’s as though we are saying, “God you made a mistake when you created me. You gave me the wrong talents.” This kind of attitude does not glorify God!
I’ll give you a personal example. I’m not a good singer. I was in youth choir back in high school (I think I just helped with volume), but I realized I’d never have a solo quality voice. I simply don’t have any raw talent to develop in that particular area.
God has, however, given me other gifts. I went through a type of “audition” when I was still a teenager. I was given an opportunity to preach in my church. I am terrified of public speaking, but I sensed God wanted me to step out in faith and try it. It was not my best sermon, but it wasn’t a disaster either. No one went to sleep, no one threw a hymnbook at me, and no one accused me of preaching heresy. The feedback, in fact, was quite encouraging. “I think you’ve found your calling,” a fellow teenager told me.
God has continued to expand my preaching/speaking ministry since then. Do I have great speaking skills? Maybe not, though I’m always trying to improve. Are there preachers/speakers who are more gifted than I? Definitely, but that’s OK—I just want people to be blessed and touched by God when I speak.
Do you frequently compare yourself to others? Are you trying to wear someone else’s armor? Follow the example of David: offer your gifts/talents to God, and expect him to use them as only He can.
“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. It’s an awesome responsibility.” – Zig Ziglar.
We’re all unique and each has his/her own special gift.
We just have to find out what’s ours.
One of mine is running over nasty people with a wheelchair…lol so they all stay out of the way…
To each his own because God is fair.
KuyaKevin,
Just passing by. It’s my first time here, and I gotta read your previous posts.
God bless.
Too funny Blue 🙂
Thanks for dropping by, Retro.
how do you know what your calling is?
It’s difficult to answer that here in one post. Seek God, follow His direction, and listen to feedback from others–find out how you bless them.
is it possible to be doing something you appear to be extremely good at to others but deep inside you are tired of..
did u enjoy being a missionary to students day one? or did it just evolve? did the love for this kind of work just develop or was it there for the longest time?
I think your gifts/talents are something you should be passionate about. I’ve wanted to do college ministry for a long time, but of course, God has expanded my service over time.
i think when it’s your calling, you’re happy doing it for God, you get a sense of fulfillment form it whether you gaing soemthing from it or not.
It makes you happy somewhat.
Very interesting blog, Kevin.
Blessings
Sidharth
Imrah Ministries
But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, “Boy, You’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win!”
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the Voice of Truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
The Voice of Truth
-excerpted from Voice of Truth,
Casting Crowns
In my book, Jesus and the turo-turo meal is the best blog piece you wrote kuya. I did post a comment there, about square pegs in round holes..I just want to ask you-how can u distinguish between gifts you naturally have and few pieces of fish and loaves of bread we also have,which in human eyes are insufficent yet God can multiply to feed a multitude?
Thanks!
Thanks, anonymous 🙂
I really think it’s the same thing–we simply take our gifts/talents and offer them to God.
Sometimes He will bless this in more simple ways; other times he may choose to bless it in extraordinary ways.
Thanks for reading 🙂
hi kuya kevin..im so happy i’ve read this..thank you so much..i feel that this was written for me..haha!..(is my grammar correct?)..
u know, im always comparing myself with my friends and to other people who are intelligent and to those who have excellent communication skills..coz im not good in speaking and in writing in english..im just trying my very best to write down my comment in english..i don’t even know if it’s in correct grammar..
this problem of mine is also the reason why i still don’t have a job until now..coz i know that companies will surely hire those who are excellent in speaking and in writing in english..
i hope you could give me some tips, so that i can also be good in speaking and writing (in english)..
thanks kuya kevin..=)
Your English looks fine to me. You probably just need some self confidence and practice 🙂
I aM Enlightened..sometimes i tend to just do this things..comparing myself to everyone..God probable led me to this article of yours to remind me..Thank you! God Bless you!
this year, I have been finding myself- and in the process I tried all sorts of things, not really bad stuff,just to discover myself more and see where I fit-
the causes I would want to live and die for, if you know what I mean reader..there just comes that point in your life
everything still within God’s moral standards, but following kuya kevins drift about life as a playground, walking on a tightrope article, I did get some minor bruises but it was part of growing up. Sometimes altogether, I wish there were no bruises, that I would know exactly what to trek from point A to B, that everything is calculated, but I guess faith doesnt work that way.
And God has His ways,
Hi Kuya Kevin,
This’s my first time reading your post and I’ve gotta say it’s a great great one. Think i’ll be frequenting this site more often. 😉
That was nice. I never compared my talent to other people’s talents though.
Yes, CONTENTMENT is the answer. Gratitude as well. I pretty like your talent. I consider it the best talent in life. Being able to speak God’s Word is way better than being musically and artistically inclined.
Godbless! 🙂
The Lord will show us where He can truly use us through the gifts He had given us….all we need is to surrender and at the same time discover it with Him like what He did to me. I never thought I also have the ability to speak in front of people in workshops and God even extended by allowing me to mentor and train other people to become a good facilitator. Great article Kevin and God bless 🙂