What’s your talent?

It’s not always the most gifted person who wins the prize or lives happily ever after. In my experience as a leadership trainer, I’ve discovered a secret to success. It really doesn’t have a lot to do with the quantity of your gifts. In fact, one of the greatest dangers to true success is an over-abundance of gifts or intellect.

Do you ever feel inferior to friends with more talent? Do you ever feel shamed by your seeming lack of talent? If you do, then I need to tell you a true story. James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10, NIV) 

A man I know never received accolades for his grades or community effort. In fact, he abused drugs, was violent and spent time in jail. His wife, Norma, would show up at church every Sunday and cry at the altar. I noticed her because she would respond to every altar call. I was seriously wondering if she had mental or emotional problems. She would fall to her knees, and she would cry and cry. I didn’t know her husband was waiting in the parking lot with a beer in his hand, yelling at our ushers, “Where’s Norma?”  

One Sunday, I looked down at the altar and saw Norma again down on her knees, crying like a baby. I didn’t know that her husband was abusive. She was crying out to God. 

Immediately, a thought came to my consciousness: “Your husband will come back to God this year.” I’ve learned that God often speaks to me like this. So, full of faith, I proclaimed it over the microphone. Something supernatural happened to him. Three months later, her husband, Pasqual, would come back to God, and Norma’s prayers would be answered. I hired her at the church as a secretary, she eventually became my assistant, and then she became an executive on our team. Yesterday, Norma was broadcast on national television, interceding for our nation. Norma was a broken person who cried out in faith. She used what little she had, and God raised her up. 

If God can do this for Norma, can He do it for you? The answer is a thousand times yes. Because you’re a miracle.

Paul Marc Goulet