Masters of Their Craft
Jack of all trades, master of none.
I remember thinking as a teen that having the ability to be average at many things was far superior than being great at just one. So this became my life’s motto ~ learn enough to get by, but never learn enough to master.
Mastering takes time, dedication, sacrifice, desire…Why learn just one craft, when you can know a little of many?!
Good question! It’s one I have been wrestling with lately. What God has been showing me is that in my ignorance of just being average, it’s really just a facade of deeper issues he wants to deal with. Being average is really just the opposite of mastering the gift or gifts God has blessed me with. Being average allows me to be lazy, lack dedication, exhibit selfishness, and in the end waste the gift God has given to me.
I can come up with all the excuses in the world…
- I’m too busy…
- I’m not good enough…
- I don’t have the means or resources…
- I can never be that good…
- I’m tired…
- I just don’t care…
…but in the end, it’s really just disobedience to God. I’ve always been intrigued with the story that Jesus shared about the servants and the talents they were entrusted with. Now, I know that the word talent is the form of currency used during the time of the story, but how appropriate is that word for today?! Could God in his omniscience have chosen that word to play a double meaning for the reader? Could He have intended us to see that story in light of the very talents He gives to us to use for His purposes? And when we fail to master those talents, are we just like the servant who took his talent and hid it in the ground?
What God is showing me is that mastering our talent is not just sacrifice, time-consuming, and confining. Rather, He is showing me that when we master the talent He has given to us, we become free…free to worship Him, free to be used by Him, and free to enjoy the gift He has given to us.
At our fall retreat, God answered prayer and brought to us an amazing group of musicians and worship leaders. I really had no idea what they would be like, but I was trusting God. As they began playing on Friday night I was blown away. They led with a genuine awareness of awe for who God is and an amazing ability to play their instruments. There was no sheet music and they really didn’t even take much time to practice before we started, but I could sense the freedom in the air. I have never been around a group of people who have known so much about their craft before and it was inspiring. Because they were masters of their crafts they were free to worship as the Spirit led.
I once had a teen tell me that he didn’t like to practice because he wanted to be free to follow the Spirit’s leading. What I have come to learn is that when we practice the talent that God has given us, it is through that we become free to follow the Spirit’s leading.
So what are you going to be? A master or a jack? God wants us to become masters…
so are you saying God wants you to become a master baller on the foosball table?
amen brother, amen.
BTW, are you sure you have baller skills on the table, cause you’ve not shown me any and I really don’t want to embarrass you…
You know, I remember your Grandfather pushing me to do the best job that I could. I didn’t always live up to his expectations but I always remembered his guidance and encouragement. I think you may be onto something here. Thanks for sharing the things that God impresses on you.