Article

aenonfire online magazine

You, God and your Talents

Feb.03.08

What is "Talent"? Well, according to the "New Illustrated Webster's Dictionary Thesaurus," this is the definition without adding to it: Talent (tal'ent) N. A particular and uncommon aptitude for some special work or activity; a faculty or gift: a usage found on a scriptural parable in (Matt.25:14-30), mental power being considered as a divine trust.

you god and your talents image

Confirmation

I am not making this up, this is the definition that is given! When I first read this, I was in awe and had goose bumps all over. This was confirmation to my soul, and power - because I had been seeking the Lord for so long concerning the talents that He has given me; which is to act and write! The world is a scary place without directions from Almighty God - "I AM."

As I read the definition, I considered certain words and phrases such as (special work, gift, power, and divine trust). Just as in "The Parable of the Talents,"1 the master goes away and trusts His servants with "His" talents, to see what they would do with them; please read and meditate on that passage of scripture and let God empower you. He is trusting you and me as well, the question to ask yourself after reading this passage is this; "am I going to be like the last servant who allowed fear to stop him?"

The Answer

How long have you been seeking God about what your talents are? I prayed for four years; at times becoming very frustrated, because I believed that God was not concerned with my talents; maybe He wanted me to be a missionary. Not True! He was giving me the answer, but I was not paying close enough attention to how the answers came.

The answer came through the people He constantly surrounded me with, who would always say, "Marlon! have you ever considered acting and, you are so good with words - why don't you try to get your poems published?" Though those words gave me hope, I was always left with my thoughts and the enemy saying the complete opposite of what they were saying.

I say all of this to say: God has not called all Christians to be missionaries. If that were the case, then who would and will reach out to people in these other professions? Fear must stop being the reason why we do not trust God for newer truths in our lives.

When I became a Christian, it was so that I stop living for myself, and begin to think of others. Almighty God wants to do more through me, I must be available - that's all, nothing more. We were not baptized with a spirit of timidity; as 2Tim.1:7 puts it:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
— The Apostle Paul

Every art form that exist, is from God - now He wants His people to trust in Him to repossess these art forms and make them (the art forms) what they should have been in the first place.

I am trusting Jehovah for new things, and that's challenging for me, because I have listened to lies for so long. But my prayer life has changed lately. I have been asking God for boldness and courage in my spirit. I have been asking Him to help me move at the pace He wants me to move, whether it's fast or slow. I have peace in my soul knowing that I am in His will now and I can stop worrying. He has given me enough confirmation.

God Uses Artists

Now make yourself available to Him so that He can take you to places in your walk that you thought were not possible. You have not been trusted with these "divine gifts" to become a missionary or pastor; God uses artists as well to draw the world to Himself.

Especially Christian artists! Be influenced by Jesus Christ, as He shows you how to influence the world with your talents and the example of your walk with Him.

I [You] can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [You].
— The Apostle Paul

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters and meditate on these scriptural verses- Eph 6:10-18 and Romans 8:38-39.

Jesus Is and will Always be Lord of our lives once we abide in Him! Now believe Him for greater things, as He uses you along with your talents.

Here's a book that helped me a lot, "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson.

Grace and Peace to you all!!!

Related

Footnotes
  1. Matthew 25:14-30↑

The Author

marlon vidal

Marlon Vidal

When Marlon isn't laughing hysterically, he's actually a serious intellectual...well he's a serious... he's Marlon. He's also recently converted from being a vegetarian to eating virtually everything in sight, and lives by the slogan- "If it's free it's for me".

View Marlon's Bio »

[10] Comments

  1. Marlon..this article blessed me. I have been trying for so long to find a happy medium with my creative side and my practical serious side to no avail. Having also read the Dream Giver..I no longer want to limit myself or what God can do with my artistic side…I love the line about fear preventong us from discovering new truths..it all boils down to taking risks and truly relying on God’s power working in us to accomplish all that He has given (commanded) us to do. GB my brother….

    1

  2. I am also a backslidden vegetarian…
    I went meatless for 6 years
    LOL

    “Fear must stop being the reason why we do not trust God for newer truths in our lives.” 

    That really hit me.  We let ourselves get held back in celebrating the artistic abilities placed within us because we view them as separate from being a spiritual gift as well.  You said you believed lies for so long…well, that is one of the lies I was led to believe.

    And there’s more than one way to be a missionary, too, I have come to see.  What we do as artists we do in the name of Jesus, so our photographs amd songs and monologues can travel the world and inspire and touch the lost whether or not we do it behind a pulpit.  It is a worthy calling to preach and teach!  Yup, it is!  It is also a worthy calling to paint and build, to direct and sew.

    Let’s not be afraid to be who we are.  Let’s not be afriad to love who we are.  Jesus does!  Artsiness, quirkiness, uniqueness, colorfulness and all.

    Remember, we are reflecting Him, anyway!!

    2

  3. Marlon, this was def a blessing bro…God IS using you and I pray that He’ll continue to do so.

    3
    • Arnaldo Santiago Jr
    • 02.08.08
      07:20 PM ↑ top

    Marlon,

    Hope all is well. Good article though I have one comment

    I believe God has called us all to be missionaries. Christ has given us the Commission of the Ages. Go out and make disciples of the world. Isn’t your neighbor “the world”?; how about the local bodega owner?; the bum on 42nd street on your way home?; the bus driver? ... etc. everyone is included not just the native tribes in the jungle of Peru.

    So the definition of “missionary” has to be seriously re-evaluated. To be on Jesus’ mission is to continue to seek to glorify God through displaying Christ as such a treasure (Phil. 3) that everything else is counted as a loss, through which people will come to know Christ as Saviour, as Lord, as King, as Redeemer, as Treasure.

    So let’s not pin Missionary vs. Layman up against each other because they are one and the same.

    You are a missionary ... to New York City’s artist. The person acting is a missionary to Hollywood. We do all things for the glory of Christ and Christ is most glorified when people see Him and know Him as their Lord, Saviour, & Treasure.

    Be mission-based in all you do!

    4

  5. inspiring ... truly inspiring…

    5
    • Your best friend Carolyne
    • 03.05.08
      05:40 PM ↑ top

    I finally see why you are extraordinary Marlon :-) You writing this article triggers the beginning of a new journey that God had planned for you long before you existed. Funnily enough this year I have made up my mind to no longer sit on my talents but instead have made myself available to God to use them to glorify His name.  I am pretty serious about it so I’m glad you have written this piece. I believe that missionary work cannot be limited to our idea of travelling outside of our own backyards inorder to spread the gospel. Since we are living testimonies of God’s glory, I see how being in any element where your gift is manifested as being a form of mission work. Whatever element we find ourselves in 2 corinthians 3:18 reminds us that
    “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Though the mission of an artist may appear slightly different from our traditional understanding of the term, I can say with confidence that any talent I have comes from Him and when I am in my artistic element, I can point someone to Christ. Col 3:17a
    “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus”.

    Be blessed Marlon

    6

  7. Marlon;

    Great work!  Thanks for reminding me that this special gift/talent God has given me should be used to influence the world.

    Can’t wait to see you center stage.

    7
    • Stephanos the Psycho
    • 03.27.08
      08:05 PM ↑ top

    Great article on talents from someone who obviously has a few of his own and is using them for the Lord. This article was free and it’s for me. Thanks dude!

    8
    • Melisssa Vidal
    • 04.07.08
      12:00 PM ↑ top

    Great work Marlon. So powerful, percining words of wisdom. I felt goose bumps while reading this. Marlon a different perspective on my life and sometime the little faith that follows. The feeling that I get that sometime GOD is not listening or have forgotten about me and my talent. It is refreshen to see that your struggles did’t bring you down. And everyone thank GOD for you and your talent.
    All hail MARLON

    9

  10. Great article!!!
    It’s funny how we let fear hold us back from accomplishing the thing that our heart desires. I’m glad that you persevere through your struggle and allow GOD to direct your path. This was truly inspirational. Keep pushing and inspiring.

    10

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