You. Yes, you. The one who thinks that somehow they aren't talented or gifted enough, I have something to tell you:
You are.
Stick with me. Yes, I know you've heard this before. You've heard it all of your life. Friends and family have constantly told you you're gifted in so many areas. You've always heard everyone has giftings and no one's gifts are better than another's, but that's not what the world says. That's not what you tell yourself. The ones with the pedestal, the singers, the artists, the models, the athletes, the person with thousands of followers, they say differently. They're the talented ones. They have the attention of the world.
Yes, they are talented and so are you.
I'm not going to try and sit here and tell you you'll always feel talented because this world is just a comparison trap. If your talent isn't recognized on a stage of some sort, whether it's the stage of social media or recognition of and audience or professionals, you're likely to feel like you don't have a gift. The fact is, all gifts look different and are recognized differently. Your talents might not even be tangible. Kindness is a gift. The ability to work really well with children is a gift. Hospitality is a gift. Being super relational is a gift. These are the gifts and talents that go unrecognized and there are so many more qualities that I can't even name.
"Comparison is the thief of joy" - Theodore Roosevelt
Man, have I experienced the hurt of comparison and not feeling good enough. When your coach tells you to focus on academics rather than athletics, it hurts. When you make your lowest grade in the subject you thought you were good at, it's discouraging. When you see your friends accolades screaming at you through a dimly lit screen, it causes you to harbor bitterness. I've been discouraged so much because I felt wasn't extremely good at one thing, rather being just average at a whole bunch of things. However, when I stop comparing myself to others, when I put down the phone and when I pick up my Bible, God continues to tell me how valuable I am. He specifically has shown me that because I do a lot of different things, I am able to relate to so many different kinds of people.
In the same way, your unique gifts have a glorious purpose.
I think it grieves the Father when we say we aren't talented and compare ourselves to others. He made us so completely and beautifully different. We are disapproving of his handiwork when we neglect or reject the gifts He has given us. It would be a boring world if everyone was an amazing singer and if we didn't have people who are good with children, goodness knows everything would fall apart. God knows there is a specific need for you and your individual tangible and intangible gifts. He gave us our own platforms for HIS glory and not ours. We wouldn't even be talented at all if it weren't for him. He has a specific mission for you and has given you exactly what you need to carry that mission out.
Stop the comparison trap, remember that the glory is the Lord's, and dwell on His Word.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17
The King wants to use the gifts He has given you. Let Him.
