In football, not until recently, there were two players who always dominated the Ballon d’Or award. They also caused a lot of arguments between their fans. My opinion about the duo is this, one can be said to be talented, the other very hardworking; his hardwork compensated for lack of talent so you cannot really tell who is better between the two.
Friend, hardwork will always beat talent when talent does not work hard. Talent is never enough! A lot of people do not perform up to their best because of this deception of talent. Like Samson, they feel that they can always shake themselves and perform, forgetting that they have left the discipline of sustaining a thriving relationship with God (Judges 16:20).
We need to set the right scriptural balance between talent and hard work. Until you add the required forces to your God-given gifts and abilities, you would be unfruitful in destiny (2 Peter 1:5-8). Whereas, God supplies the calling, you need to supply the diligence (2 Peter 1:10).
What makes you succeed or fail is not what God gave or did not give you, but what you do with your life (Matthew 25:14-30). We have been given all we need to succeed in life (2 Peter 1:3). Stop giving excuses about what you have or lack. Stop blaming God, the devil or life generally for what is happening or not happening to you. Leverage God’s Grace to labour your area of assignment (1 Corinthians 15:10).
You have got to work hard, whether you think you have talent/gift or not. Whether you are talented, gifted, anointed or not, don’t be deceived by these divine donations, get to work! You need to see your gifts and talents as leverage for achieving better results.
Take the posture of diligence so that you can deliver up to the capacity of greatness that is inside of you. Balance your talents with diligence (1 Corinthians 15:10). Work better with your talent; work well, smart and with consistency. Let it never be said of you that you failed despite your talent or that you could not make it because you thought you cannot. Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria