Go for the Joy
Beth Moore (author and Bible teacher) and Elizabeth Gilbert (author of many books, including Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic) walk into a coffee shop (because Beth would not go to a bar) and talk about your why (or why not).
Okay, I made up the meetup. It’s difficult to imagine these two actually connecting in person or in thought leadership.
However, recently I was doing my annual listen to Gilbert’s Big Magic on audio, reminding myself that creativity is its own reward.
[Mat 25:15 NKJV] 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Gilbert points out that we are all creative beings. Creating is what are born to do. I listen to remind myself that I can and should create for the joy of creating, not for adulation from others. My artwork will never be in the Louve. I should draw anyway, because it brings me joy. My dance moves will never be featured on America’s Got Talent, but dancing brings me joy and that is the purpose of dancing. You might enjoy creating a garden, performing music, figure skating, or something else. These pursuits never need bring you money or glory. Perhaps no one else will appreciate your singing at all. All that creative pursuits are meant to do is to bring you joy.
There will always be someone better than you at the thing you choose to do. Do it anyway.
In Beth Moore’s 4-part podcast titled “Most Talent”, she reminds us that our God-given talents are not to be done to seek accolades or glory for ourselves. We use our talents because that is what God created us to do. He equipped each of us with a talent or talents meant to be used. Using your talents brings God joy. It should bring us joy too.
There will always be someone who is a better speaker, podcaster, blogger, teacher, etc. than you. Speak, podcast, blog, or teach anyway.
Probably nothing will happen if you never paint a flower again. But not using your God-given talents to serve God and His children has dire consequences. Jesus outlined exactly what could happen in the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. The fear that you are not good enough is not an excuse not to do what you can with what you have been given.
Don’t let the fact that you might not be the best get in the way of doing (and hopefully enjoying) what God has called you to do.
Alternately, it is just as problematic if you are using your talents and/or serving others for self-glorification, to been seen as valuable or important, or to gain stature in the church or world. Matthew 23:1-12 warns against seeking to be seen as great for the service you do. See in particular, Matthew 23: 5-7 [NKJV] 5 "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
Moore and Gilbert are aligned in this, just maybe from a different perspective and purpose in pointing it out.
So, sweet sisters, I encourage you to “go for the joy” in using what you have to serve those you can to the glory of the Father.
Matthew 6:3-4 [NKJV] 3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
Your “why” need only be that you have the means or the talent or the calling and you intend to us it. It’s a talent, but it is not a talent contest, and it certainly is not a competition.
I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comment section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org