Don’t Use the “Natural Talent” Excuse
“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” -Thomas Edison
With all of Thomas Edison’s inventions (light bulb, phonograph, etc.) you’d expect him to say that it was his brilliant ideas that led the way, with his natural talent and ability playing a large role in his innovations. Yet we discover both a humbling and a hopeful truth: (humbling to those who console themselves that they’ve got “a lot of potential,” but hopeful for those that think they don’t), and this truth is that it’s mainly just a matter of willpower and work. Edison says its 99% perspiration, and only 1% inspiration.
Ninety nine percent work! You’d expect at most eighty percent, or maybe even a 50-50 split. But honestly, what we often think is that it’s 99% inspiration: that if we simply have a good idea, success will do us a favor and come knocking on our door and just fall into our lap. But Thomas Edison said that genius is only one percent inspiration.
God’s blessings: we have to work for them
So too in our Christian walk, God’s blessings come from 99% work, and perhaps only 1% of our own natural talent or ability. We cannot use the excuse that “someday” we will get serious with God, and console ourselves by thinking that because of our natural abilities–seldom if ever applied in a practical manner–we will somehow be blessed by God from out of nowhere.
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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -Thomas Edison
We think to ourselves: “I’ve got all this talent and ability, and God would never let that go to waste, would He?” Yet it is not that He wishes to see our potential go to waste, but that He is waiting for us to show Him how serious we are about living for Him, and seeking after Him with all our hearts. He wants us to work for Him!
Do you think it was difficult for God to give you your natural talent? Was it hard for Him to give you the potential you have? Couldn’t He have given it to anyone, anywhere, at any given time? More and more, I’m realizing that God does not respect natural talent, but what He truly delights in is a heart that is completely and utterly sold-out and devoted to Him.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” -Proverbs 8:17
Notice that in the verse above, God is speaking of wisdom, and saying that those that “seek me early shall find me.” The emphasis should be on the word seek. It does not say, those that have the most natural ability and potential shall be freely given more wisdom. It only comes to those who want it bad enough.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:13
Another word that sticks out in the verse above is search. We have seen the need both to seek and to search out for God–and we are to do it with all our heart. How is this done?
1. By recognizing the deep need that we have for Him. Without Him, we can do nothing. Jesus said: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
2. By resolving to seek after Him, no matter the cost. We cannot truly seek Him with all our heart if we still cling to our earthly clutter and baggage. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). In the well known verse in Deuteronomy that commands us to love God with our whole heart, just before this verse is a logical progression leading to it: that there is only one God. It is almost as if the Lord was reasoning with His people when He said, there is only one God, therefore, you ought to serve Him with your whole heart, and mind, and soul.
3. We must continue on in our search and not be slowed or hindered by the enemy. Though we have resolved to give up all things, the way to God’s blessings may be longer than expected–but not impossibly out of reach. We perhaps have thought that if we dedicate our life to Him, and give up all things for His Kingdom, that we will then have instantaneous blessing as God sees our sacrifices. Yet, part of the trial is endurance. God wants to test us to see if our convictions are true and deep. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-5
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