I've Found - With Sarah Gullickson

Hello All! I'm so excited to present this week's guest blogger: Sarah Gullickson!
I've known her since we were little and it's been an honor to be her friend all these years. This week Sarah is sharing what she's found to be true regarding talent and giftings...what does it mean to be talented? Are their different levels of talent? and how can we all use the unique talents God gave us to the best of our ability?

Hey there! I am Sarah Gullickson, a second-year student at a Bible college (soon to graduate!). Next year I will be pursuing a double-major in Theater and Education. I have a passion for goats, hiking, and baking. If you ever need some ginger snap cookies or an animal whisperer, hit me up! I am a considerably artsy person, so I enjoy travel, photography, reading, singing, ballet, and film. One of my weaknesses is coffee...what a temptation, also peanut butter. And the most beautiful part of my life is Jesus Christ. His grace abounds! All right, let us get to the blog:

I've Found:
That talent is what you make it.

What is talent? Why is it so important? These are questions that I asked when I first began to pursue theater. I have a deep love for performing arts. There is something special about stepping onto a stage and portraying a character to tell their story. But there is more than simply memorizing the lines and projecting the words. There is talent. One must embody a role so that the audience believes it is genuine. They must have a "wow" factor that is distinct but also appropriate. These requirements caused me great fear. I was afraid that I did not have enough talent or that my talent was not acceptable. That fear was almost paralyzing. It seemed that there was a standard of expertise. If I did not blend in and appear like the other actors, I would fail.

But the reality is that talent is subjective. Everyone has a different and unique talent from God. No one person is the same as another. Then how can it be measured? In my opinion, talent is immeasurable. Some people are indeed better at some things than others, but everyone has a gift. And God is the true judge of one's talents because He is the giver of them. His Word states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows" (James 1:17 [NIV]). God is faithful and gracious in His giving of talent. He does not grant people gifts for no purpose. He has a great plan for each person and the blessings He imparts to them.

So why would God allow you an incredible ability if not to use it for His glory? Our calling is to

glorify God with the gifts He has given us. Another verse that points to this is God's giving of spiritual gifts. Paul writes, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8). Paul encourages us to use our gifts wholeheartedly and in the interest of others. We can minister to our fellow brothers in Christ and to the world to magnify Him.

What is the lesson here? Go forward in faith! God has fantastic plans for your life and the gifts He has given you! I will not have anxiety over how I perform because I know that God is using me! Of course, I will still struggle to remember God's promises, but I can continually remind myself that He is faithful and I am on His team, not my own. When you remember that you are serving God on that stage, there is no need to fear. He is the One who put you there. Share His talent that is in you. But most importantly, relish in the fact that God loves you so much to have given you that gift.

Special thanks to Abby for asking me to write for her blog! Love you, girl:) ​