The Available Talent Pool

It is amazing when one stops and considers the assortment of individuals God has used down through history to

accomplish His various works.

Here’s a thought:

God uses the talent pool available.

~Philip Yancey

All is Grace Forward

Talking about Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning is a writer who has hugely impacted my own life through his books, yet his personal story was one of living an upright life followed by extended bouts of falling off the wagon into alcoholism. 

His message of grace and hope still reaches thousands.  Above all, Brennan was available, and God chose to work through him. 

I read on Facebook today this amazing report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

“Seven African countries have cut the number of new #HIV infections in children by 50%.  That’s a sign of progress in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.”

I would say that God is using the available talent pool at hand through the Gates Foundation.  Amazing. 

Here’s a story for you.

“After World War II German students volunteered to help rebuild a cathedral in England, one of the many casualties of the Luftwaffe bombings.  As the work progressed, debate broke out on how to best restore a large statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched and bearing the familiar inscription, “Come unto me.” 

Careful patching could repair all damage to the statue except for Christ’s hands, which had been destroyed by bomb fragments.  Should they attempt the delicate task of reshaping those hands?

Finally the workers reached a decision that still stands today.  The statue of Jesus has no hands, and the inscription now reads,

“Christ has no hands but ours.”

~Fearfully and wonderfully made

Dr Paul Brand

Philip Yancey

So true.  And what do you and I do about that? 

Do you have immense talents or simple ordinary abilities?

Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might.  I believe God wants to use you and me, the person next door to you, your partner in business, your taxi driver, the local ferry boat captain and the clerk in your local bookstore to further His great work. 

The astounding thing is this … God’s work is not always done inside the four walls of a church, synagogue or cathedral.  Sometimes this great work is done in a foreign land giving immunization shots to small children.  Sometimes it is offered through a cool drink of water to a parched throat.  Occasionally, more than occasionally, God shows up through a pie baked or a ham with glaze baked with love and delivered to a family in crisis. 

Above all, be the willing servant who stands ready to be available with whatever talent you possess. 

Some person in your vicinity may need you this week, and God may tap you on the shoulder to go and represent Him and be his hands for a moment in time. 

I hope you and I recognize these opportunities when they come along.

P Michael Biggs

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