Hidden Talent
Are you searching for purpose in life? Talk to us.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
During care group, we were discussing the talents and gifts God has given us. A question was asked by the facilitator: “Do your talents change as you get older? Our group consists mostly of people aged 55 and older.
Almut enthusiastically shared that when her children had grown, she decided to go back to work. She was hired to manage volunteers in a second – hand clothing store. Although she enjoyed the work, her favorite day of the month was the day she did the bookkeeping – balancing the books. She enjoyed bookkeeping so much that she took an accounting course and has been the financial accountant for her church ever since – and she loves it. Earlier on in life, she never knew that God had given her that talent.
Anita told us that after she retired from work she started dabbling in paints and discovered she has an artistic gift that never had shown up before.
Mark Gerzon, in his book Listening to Midlife writes:
“As we age, we human beings yearn for wholeness. We yearn for parts of ourselves that have been in the dark to find sunlight, and those that were sunburned to find shade. We yearn for parts that have been underdeveloped to grow, and those that were overdeveloped to be pruned. We yearn for the parts that have been silent to speak and those that were noisy to be still. We yearn for the parts that have been alone to find companionship and those that have been overcrowded to find solitude. We yearn to love our unlived lives.”
We have at least a third of our lives left to try new things, learn new skills, go on overseas adventures – to serve God by being everything He created us to be. Life is not over when we reach 55. We are just entering a new exciting season of life. Let’s not waste these most wonderful years by sitting on a rocking chair waiting for the kids to come over.
Father you have told us in Psalm 92:14, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Give us the creativity and courage to use every bit of life for your glory. Amen.
Questions: Are you concerned as to how God will use you when you get older? Do your talents change as you get older?
About the author Katherine Kehler
Tags: accounting, artistic gift, balancing the books, bookkeeping, care group, financial, gifts, Katherine Kehle, Mark Gerzon, Midlife, solitude, talent
3 Responses to “Hidden Talent”
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What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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My husband died right after I turned 56. I am 60 right now. I’ve worked as a VISTA volunteer for a Pregnancy Crisis Center, helped my father for 4 months after he had a stroke, finally put my education for business administration to work earning income sorely needed, and am now currently assisting my mother-in-law as she enters her sunset years. Life has certainly provided some different opportunities, and I am looking forward to the opportunity explore life more! Really enjoyed this devotional…
Dear Katherine,
Thank you for this devotional. Your words were very encouraging to me today, and applicable to my life. Fear does hold us back, or that feeling of being inadequate. I can relate to that!
Blessings to you,
Bev
Thank You so much for the devotionals that come to my email box every day. I share so many of them with others. I especially related to the one today on Hidden Talents. I am 51 and never completed school, dropping out in the 8th grade. I have never completed anything actually. :( I was a mother at 17 and that is all I have done. My children are now grown and with the last one just moving out I have been asking the Lord for direction on what to do. I am thinking GED and maybe working somewhere?? I have had quite a few others tell me to write a book and have also felt the Lord bring it to my attention over and over. The lack of direction, fear ( feeling inadequate) and lack of schooling has held me back. Isn’t that just like him to have me do something I feel so inadequate about. He is too funny at times. I am sure I have talents but have no clue as to what they are. Thank you for the in sites it helped me realize even with my lack of education I am not in this ageing thing alone and it is a normal part of it. Blessing to you today!!! If you feel lead to say a pray concerning His will and direction for my life PLEASE FELL FREE TO DO SO!! :)