I give my middle school English students journal prompts every day. Some topics are more difficult for them than others, and it might surprise you that the most difficult prompt for them has been: Describe three things you do well. At 11-14 years of age, this topic is a struggle. Many of them don’t know what they are good at or where their natural talents lie. Because of this, many will write in that they game and text well just to get the assignment done. This subject is also hard for them because they are so focused at this age on what they look like and how they don’t quite measure up to anyone; it’s such an awkward stage. Hopefully, as they get older, they will realize what they’re good at and use these abilities to better the world.
Teens and tweens are not the only groups that have difficulty identifying where their talents and abilities lie. Do you know what yours are? If you haven’t given serious thought to this subject, take a moment, sit back and reflect on what you enjoy doing. Often, we relish specific activities because we are good at them. Are you energized when doing specific things? Are there things others do that frustrate you? Often the things that energize or frustrate you are things you are good at; you can add them to your list of talents. Once you identify them, the next logical question should be, is it our responsibility to use our talents to better our world? Yes, I think it is.



You either influence for good or influence for bad. Every person we encounter during the day whether at work, play, online, on the phone, etc., will carry our mark of influence, even to the smallest degree. Because each of us grew up in unique situations, with our unique personalities, gifts, strengths and weaknesses, we can use our talents to reach groups of people in ways that others have not been unsuccessful. We need to get into the habit of reminding ourselves that we impact others and being mindful of this can motivate us to use our talents and abilities to make others’ lives better.

Everyone is good at something and even the smallest things give us purpose and drive. The trick is to tap into these things and let them motivate and drive you into a meaningful existence. Your talents need not be restricted to areas of earning a living; it can be a meaningful side adventure.
For example, I have the privilege of being a part of a community chorus that’s under the direction of a notable figure in the classical voice field. They asked me if I would be the secretary of our chorus

and part of my responsibilities include sending out notices and reminders to the group regularly. Because I know that people need some motivation to read announcements, I am using one of my talents, the ability to write witty messages, to communicate with the group.  These have become popular with our chorus and many comment on them. I write and remind; they read and laugh. It’s a win-win situation. Using this one facet of my gifts and talents has energized me, giving me a unique purpose within our group of singers. The same could happen for you!

Choosing to use our talents is a gift we give to others and this gift, in turn, brings us a blessing. Acts 20:35 tells us that, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” There is always a blessing involved in giving and remember, this “giving” need not be monetary.
God also promises His children spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 12 describes these different gifts and talents including, wisdom, knowledge, faith, and healing, to name a few. Identifying these gifts gives us the chance to be a blessing in the lives of others; a blessing which will return to us.

We have seen many people on varying stages display their talents in the hope of becoming a star; to realize a dream. Their creativity and talent have moved me on many occasions and I have then incorrectly thought, What I do well doesn’t matter compared to that! I have had to choose to call myself out on that thought. My life is my personal, ultimate talent show. It is my responsibility to discover my gifts and talents, practice them and use them for the betterment of those I come in contact with. Period. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”