Talent
Brian was ambitious.
And quite talented.
It was when he was in high school that he first noticed he had the knack. But it didn’t come into full bloom until college. Undergraduate and graduate degree from Columbia University and ranked in the top 25 of his class. He had been pursued by a number of companies, but it was here at Johnson & Marks where he settled. And he had done his homework. This was a good company, with room to move up in the ranks.
So when the job opening came, he went for it. It was an upper management position in his department and included a significant raise. He hadn’t been with the company very long, just a couple of years, but he had moved up quickly – and he knew it was because he was very good at what he did. He really wanted this new position, because it was a stepping stone to his bigger dream. There were several people applying for the job, but the only one he was really worried about was Anne. She had been with the company longer than him, and she was good. Really good.
But he was good too. And he knew he could do the job and do it well. He was counting on his talent to give him the edge he needed to land the position. Plus, he was young and unattached, which meant no wife and kids to have to divide his time with. He was hoping Mr. Johnson would see that. The interview yesterday went extremely well and he came out of it feeling quite satisfied with himself. As he packed up his things to go home for the evening a sense of pride and self-confidence filled his chest. “I’ve got this,” he thought.
He entered the elevator, and as the doors were sliding shut to go down to the parking garage, they stopped right before closing and began to open again to let someone else on.
It was Anne.
And it looked like she had been crying.
Jeez. Talk about an awkward situation. He didn’t know what to do. Should he say something? I mean, she was his competition. But she was obviously upset about something.
Wait.
Did they already call her and tell her she didn’t get the job and that’s why she’s crying? Were they calling everyone and letting them know? Does that mean he might have gotten it? But they didn’t call him. Unless they did and he missed it! Did someone else get the job? What if they have already called everyone else and they’re trying to call him right now! Maybe he should go back to his desk. No, he should stay. Would it be awkward if he stopped the elevator? He could say he forgot something and needed to go back. But then that would make him look stupid. Forget it. He’ll just wait until tomorrow. But what if they really are trying to call him now…
“Are you ok?”
He jumped. “Oh, uh, yeah, I’m fine Anne, thanks. Uh, are you?”
“Oh…I’m ok. I just had a long phone conversation with my dad” she said.
“Is everything ok?” he asked.
“Everything’s fine. He just gave me a lot to think about, that’s all” she replied.
At that moment the elevator dinged, the doors opened and they both walked out into the parking garage. As they each started to go their separate ways, Anne turned and said…
“Hey Brian.”
He stopped and turned.
“Have you ever wondered if you were meant to do great things? That you were created with talents and abilities that were meant to be on display?”
“All the time!” he said.
“That’s what I thought too. At least I did. Up until about an hour ago. Now I’m beginning to think otherwise. That my time, and my talents need to be channeled someplace else. And that the answer I want and am waiting for, is not the answer I need.”
“One of the last things my dad said to me before he hung up was that I should invest every day, every moment, every right-now in things that last eternally. So that at the end of my life, I can look back and see that nothing was wasted.”
Anne paused for a moment and came to a decision. “You’re very talented, Brian. I know you want the job. And so as of right at this moment, you do not have to worry about me. Have a good night.”
He just stood there and watched her walk to her car…unable to comprehend for a moment what just happened. When he finally came to his senses, he slowly walked to his car, got in, and just sat. There was something she said that reminded him of something. Something his old college campus pastor once told him. “Be careful Brian. You’re a talented young man. And I can see God using your talents in tremendous ways for His glory. But you must be faithful with what you have now, so that in the future God can entrust you with more. God will hold you accountable Brian. He will hold you accountable with what you’ve done with your talents. And what you choose to use them for will determine the future course of your life.”
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7
We must be faithful with what God has entrusted us with! We are just stewards of our gifts and talents, just like we are just stewards of the money and the things that God gives us.
Are you willing to invest your gifts and talents in order to honor God, serve others, and advance the kingdom of God? Or do you invest what you have for your own use?
God bestows gifts and talents on each person according to his or her ability. You are a masterpiece created by God! Will you believe that enough to invest your talent to be used by God for His glory?
Dear Father, help me to use the gifts and talents you have given me to glorify you, and not me. I admit I would like the credit. It’s nice to get praise from others. But Lord, pride is so dangerous. Keep me from falling into it! Show me ways to use what you have given me, to glorify you and help others. Thank you so much for what you’ve given others, and the benefit and help I’ve gotten from them because of it. Amen.
