Why I Think You Should Identify Your Talents

As a part of one of my courses I recently did an exercise where I had to identify my three greatest talents. And it was such an interesting experience, I think you should do it too. But I should be clear about the purpose of this because nowadays, running rampant is a lot of talk about self-help, self-motivation and much other nonsense. The world thinks that by you knowing how great you are, you'll somehow be better, happier, healthier, wiser and richer. The Bible gives a stark contrast. Man is inherently depraved, and simply knowing you're a sinner doesn't make you any better. It is the faith God grants you and your repentance.

But one of the biggest songs culture sings has a grain of truth to it. We hear and see many a book, television show or conference on the benefit of discovering your talents. You see books like Don't Waste Your Talent: The 8 Critical Steps to Discovering What You Do Best and Talent Intelligence: What You Need to Know to Identify and Measure Talent and you see conferences like the Global Talent Conference and the Talent Management Conference and you see shows like America's Got Talent and this emphasis on identifying talents becomes pretty clear. And this is where I agree. I think you should identify your talents. But my reason is far different than the world's.

The world says you should identify your talents to become a better you.

 I say you should identify your talents to glorify God better.

And that was exactly the purpose of my course exercise - to identify my talents with the intention of me being more capable and aware of utilizing them for effective service and ministry. So what did I do? I looked at the areas I am most skilled in and take the most joy from and then looked to Scripture and my church to see how I can use them in ministry while glorifying God better. The process felt a little awkward at times, as if I was somehow puffing myself up by identifying what I'm good at. But by renewing my focus to God and going at it humbly and with the aim of making it all about Him, I know I was blessed through it.

And that's why I think you should identify your talents.