10 Things That Require Zero Talent

Success in any life endeavor is almost always equated with talent.

This is often true in the sports world. However, the team with the most talent doesn’t always win. In sales and marketing, less talented individuals often out perform their more talented counterparts. Some times the person with the highest IQ underperforms and others with less innate natural ability excel in their educational and academic pursuits.

Why?

I think my facebook friend and sister in Christ, Debbie Sullins Billingsley, offered the answer in a recent post.

Debbie posted a list, apparently written on a white board with the heading “10 Things That Require Zero Talent.” Here they are.

#1 Being on Time.

#2 Work ethic.

#3 Effort.

#4 Energy.

#5 Body Language.

#6 Passion.

#7 Doing Extra.

#8 Being Prepared.

#9 Being Coachable.

#10 Attitude.

Now I suppose it depends on how you define talent as to whether this assertion is accurate. But using the sports world as an example, I’ve seen this occur many times. A player who’s not as fast, not as quick, can’t jump as high, and even lacks some of the physical skills of his opponent, may out play him because of his passion. His energy. His effort. His attitude. And his willingness to listen to and follow the Coach’s instructions.

Spiritually, there is a wonderful application of these points. We are not in competition with other Christians, but we are in race (Heb. 12:1-3). The Christian race (Ax. 20:24). We are competing for the “prize of the high calling of God” (Phil. 3:12-14). It is a race we’re all running and everyone can win (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

However, based on the above passages, we must be patient. Self-disciplined. Focused. Steadfast. Determined. Willing to endure hardship. And always reaching forward.

Preachers, pastors, Bible teachers and all Christians join the race with varying degrees of talents, abilities, and skills. Yet, none of that matters when we apply ourselves, run enthusiastically, listen to those who mentor us from God’s word, and always have the right attitude toward others.

Think of Jesus familiar parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30). Three men are given varying sums of money, called “talents,” by their Master and issued the responsibility of growing the principle to make a profit. The five talent man doubles his to return to his Master ten talents. The two talent earned two more. But the one talent man was afraid. Hid his talent in a hole in the ground. And returned the same with no gain. Not even interest.

In the story Jesus condemned the one talent man because he was “lazy.” In fact, He called him “wicked.” Suppose he had applied these “10 things that require zero talent.” What do you think would have happened?

The application is for all us to realize that we’ve been given gifts to accomplish the Lord’s purpose for us. But it’s not amount of talent we have or the extent of the talent, but how we use what we have. It’s often the intangibles. Attitude. Effort. Passion. And going the “extra mile.”

Our discipleship, ministry, evangelism, worship, and fellowship will reach new heights, accomplish greater good, and give God more glory, regardless of our talent, if we would apply these 10 traits.

Billionaire and Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban once said, “Talent without effort is wasted talent. And while effort is the one thing you can control in your life, applying that effort intelligently is next on the list.” That’s true in the business world, the sports arena, and in the Christian race as well.

Regarding talent, speaker and author Charlie Tremendous Jones, was fond of saying, “Use it or lose it.” Even if you really think you have no talent, try applying these 10 characteristics and see what happens.

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Rom. 12:6).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman