It’s Important to Nurture Your Gift(s)
The big question I am going to pose to you today is this:
Is nurturing your God-given talents and skills a good use of your time?
Sometimes it’s easier to say “I have a talent in this, but it’s just a hobby” or “I wish I had more time to develop this skill, but I am so busy” than it is to actually go do the thing. It’s easier to let the creativity slide than it is to build that creative skill that God has given us. Sometimes we even like to brag “Ah, yes, I have this creative talent” without actually ever exercising it or thinking about it except when we’re trying to show off.
Now, there are two key thoughts on this: the first is that there are seasons in life and sometimes those seasons allow us to dive deeply into our creative pursuits and sometimes those creative pursuits have to sit on the back burner. Sometimes we get to take as many art classes as we want and sometimes we have to set art school aside while we get married, raise children, mourn a loved one, move, pursue other things God has laid on our hearts, navigate health concerns both physical and mental, or suffer through financial strain. Sometimes we genuinely do not have the time to dedicate to our gifts and skills and God completely understands that. He is not merciless or unkind to those who want to develop the talents and skills He has given them, but don’t have the means to do so. In fact, sometimes He gives is seasons of creative rest intentionally, so that we can grow, learn, or help others in their joyful or fragile moments. It is okay to say “I want to, Lord, but I do not have the time or energy for this”!
The second thought is that this article’s main question is specifically for the heart posture (or mindset) that actively puts your God-given talent or skills to the side. It’s for the mindset that involves avoiding your God-given gift or talent for whatever reason. Perhaps there is a little bit of fear; being afraid of the calling that God has placed in your life. Maybe a fear that you will mess up, or not live up to your full potential or to the task God has set before you. Perhaps there is an element of viewing creative pursuits as “less valuable” than things that make more money. The idea that creative work is not worth how much time and effort it requires, particularly when there are other things you can do to pursue the next dollar.
Here is the truth: time set aside to pursue the gift that God has given you is always valuable. Maybe not in a monetary sense, but in in a sense that it is valuable to both you as a person and to God’s kingdom. Likewise, fear that you overcome through trust in the Lord — trust in what He has put before you and how He has knitted you together — is a precious thing on its own. Pursue your gifts as you can, pursue it to honor God’s good plan for you and His Kingdom. It may not turn a buck for a while — it may never make any money, or make you famous, or reach a huge audience — but it is worth pursuing.
Putting it into Action
If you already spend time nurturing your God-given talents and abilities, excellent! Spend some time thanking God for providing you with the time you need to pursue these creative endeavors. If you haven’t had time to nurture your gifts, take a look at why. Is it because of the season you are in (marriage, death, financial trouble, new member to the family)? If so, take the pressure of pursuing your gift off your shoulders. There is no need to stress or fret, God understands and is in control of your seasons! If it is in your heart to have the time to pursue your creativity, earnestly pray that He can provide a way for you to pursue them, that He can open up pockets of time here and there for you to build that talent and skill!
Is you lack of time in creativity, however, because you are avoiding your gift out of fear or because “it’s not worth my time”? Is it out of avoidance for whatever reason, that you are not pursuing your God-given abilities, and in doing so you basically reject His gifts for you? Pray and ask God to survey your heart and figure out exactly what the issue is. If the answer is avoidance our of fear or a misplaced desire, then pray again, this time asking Him to guide how, when, and why you pursue your gifts and talents. Ask Him to convict you to pursue your gifts and talents, teach you how they should be applied for His Kingdom!
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”
