05/18/24 COMPONENTS FOR SUCCESS

05/18/24 COMPONENTS FOR SUCCESS

Consider these components for productive and successful living.

ABILITY is simply being able because you have the raw, basic physical, mental, emotional, temperamental tools to do a particular task. Most people can sing at a very basic level.

SKILL is trained ability. Training and practicing the task leads to a higher level of accomplishment. Musical and voice training, raises the level of accomplishment of most people.

TALENT is an inherent proclivity with accentuated physical, mental, emotional and/or temperament suited toward the task. Talent is often the creative component, which may be present with or without trained skill. The talented person can hear the music, can imagine the music, can communicate the music in a way that is not simply technical.

Sometimes the word, "GIFTED" is used in conjunction with, or synonymously with TALENTED.

Our natural abilities, skills and talents are gifts from God, but they are not to be confused with the GIFTS of the Spirit, which are special tools given either beyond, or in conjunction with our natural capabilities and our developed strengths.

In the Christian life and service these natural components (ability, skill, talent) are present but God also endues believers with GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, an added spiritual component to do God's work. Having a SPIRITUAL GIFT is not simply a different level of natural competence, it is a supernatural fitting for the spiritual work God has called a person to do, which includes a vision for service.

God expects all believers to use their abilities to accomplish His work. God expects some people to hone their skills for specific work. God expects those who are specially talented to focus on specific tasks. But above all of this, and often along with all of this, and sometimes without any of this, God enables certain people to do what they are not necessarily suited for naturally. GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT are Divine, supernatural endowments. These GIFTS are tools for spiritual service.

God expects all believers to give, but He gifts (makes it possible) some people to give in a very remarkable way. God expects all believers to evangelize (tell the Good News), but He gifts some people with evangelism. God expects all believers to have faith, but He gifts some people with extraordinary faith. This is true for the various gifts of the Spirit (speaking, serving, leading), which are given to the people in the local church. God bestows these GIFTS to all of His children as He sees fit for them to serve their local church.

Jesus said that we should ask for the Holy Spirit and expect to receive Him, His power and His works in our lives. Too many Christians take the work of the Holy Spirit nonchalantly or they ignore their own need for the GIFTS and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Think how much more effective the local church would be if people made themselves available, pursued excellence through study and practice, invested their natural talents in God's work. And beyond the total dedication of our natural abilities, skills, talents, we should discover and employ our GIFTS of the Spirit.