At a high school football game. In the bleachers some one says, “that quarterback, natural talent.”

In a college lecture, the professor reviewing tests, “that young lady, natural talent.”

At a concert the fans, “that drummer, natural talent.”

In Heaven, God looks at you, “that giving of yourself, heeding to My will, natural talent.”

I don’t think anyone is born with the natural ability to give and think of self very little. I don’t think anyone listens and follows God’s direction easily without ever resisting. We are naturally selfish, flesh filled.

But can it become more natural for us? Can we find a place of letting go?

The football player, student, and drummer… What do they all have in common? Practice, hard work, time and effort. Yes, we all have natural abilities in different areas yet those talents can be fine tuned with work.

Are we willing to put in the work? Are we willing to give and give again? Are we willing to pause from our busy schedules and be still…listen for HIM? Are we willing to give up things? Are we willing to practice thinking of God and others before ourselves?

Work. Effort. The Christian life. The life of following Christ’s example. Did Jesus practice these things? Giving, listening, following…

 

Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. ESV

Matthew 27:54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly this was the Son of God! ESV

 

Practice. Do the work. It is worth it. To be a follower of Christ. Give. Give life. Find the natural in the unnatural.

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the  ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of grace of God. ESV