For many years I have been intrigued as to why God puts such fabulous gifts into such flawed individuals. Fascinating to me is to listen or watch an incredibly gifted artist such as a singer perform at such a level that it is almost beyond belief and then to watch their personal life spiral into an uncontrollable train wreck. The following I have never understood. How some musicians can go onto a stage night after night and display a God given talent and at the same time night after night live out a life of debauchery so devastating that it would seem impossible to coordinate the two lives together.
This is a great puzzler to me.
Years ago, I met a christian artist who at that time was at the top, everyone wanted to be him, be around him or sing like him. He would open his mouth and out would come this gift that truly was indescribable at times. Yet, he went out of his way to make numerous bad decisions, one bad decision followed by a worse bad decision. As I was small talking with him, I wanted to ask, “What the heck happened to you? How can someone so gifted mess up your life this bad? How did you manage to do this?” I didn’t ask him but I wanted to.
I have however asked God the following question many times over the course of my life, especially my adult life, “Why God do you put such fabulous gifts into such flawed people, myself included?”
Even today I am wrestling with this question in my own life.
Here is where I am as of 1:51 p.m. EST.
“Forgive my hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Roman 7:15
So that is where I am today. A flawed creature yet aware that God has made me in His image, to be like Him. And He has done the same for you.
I would encourage you today to make a list. List your flaws on one side and list your gifts on the other. And please don’t apply some type of fake christian humility on the gifts side. You have unique abilities. You know you do, God knows you do, He put them there. Be honest and transparent with yourself.
My prediction is that the gifts list will outweigh the faults list. Maybe not in number as we tend to view ourselves with a long list of faults and a short list of gifts. But see if the quality of the gifts do not outweigh the quantity of the faults. I bet all the money in my pockets against all the money in your pockets the gifts will far outweigh the flaws.
“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one.” Chinese Proverb
We are fabulously flawed.
JHH
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