SPIRITUAL GIFTS

"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other... " - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Today, on May 12, 2016, I found out that I was rejected from my school's show-choir.

You can probably guess the emotions I felt when I heard the news: shock, embarrassment, sadness, confusion, the works. To make the situation that much better (note the sarcasm), I was surrounded by my outstanding, incredibly talented friends that had gotten in. It took them a few minutes to realize that while I was there with them at that exact moment, I wouldn't be with them in next year's winter performance as a member of the show-choir.

I didn't burst into tears at that exact moment and run away from the chorus room, like we always see in those countless (but still amazing) Hallmark movies. It didn't unfold like a scene from my favorite love story, where the male protagonist shows up and comforts the girl through her hard times, and then they get married. In fact, there wasn't even another friend to comfort me. My friends who had been successful were celebrating, and I don't blame them - it's an amazing opportunity.

I walked back into class just in time to see one of my classmates high-fiving one of my successful friends. The same classmate approached me and said, "Congratulations!", with her hands raised and ready for a celebratory slap. You wouldn't believe how fast her face fell when I told her the news.

I always grew up singing in church with the children's Christmas productions and in the Bible competitions. I was already used to members of my church family patting me on the back as a five-year-old, telling me that I did a wonderful job singing during the offering that Sunday night. I'm not being cocky or self-centered (or, at least, trying not to seem that way) when I say that I was convinced that I was a good singer. That was all I had heard from the first day I opened my mouth: "What a beautiful voice you have!" ; "You are so talented, young lady!" ; "I can't wait for your next special!" I had heard left and right that I was excelling in something I loved to do, and I can't say that it wasn't an extraordinary feeling.

There's another thing that I believe also affected my mindset about my audition. This is how a lot of my conversations happened:

"

Someone: Do you think you got in to that showchoir?

Me: I sure hope so!

Both people laugh.

Someone: But based on your audition, what do you think?

Me: I think that I was a weak dancer and a lot of good dancers tried out, too, so I don't have the good of a chance.

Someone: Shut up, of course you got in! You're such a good singer, and he already loves you!

"

This conversation happened over and over throughout the week or two after my audition. I constantly had people telling me that I should get rid of any doubt, because they knew I got in. The phrase "of course you got in" was repeatedly hammered into my head, so often that I began to believe it. By the time the list came out, I had convinced myself that my name was going to be there. But when I didn't see it on the piece of paper, I just read it over and over and over and over, rechecking for my name. The only thought I had was: Surely, my name is on this list.

You can probably see my dilemma when I was rejected.

I asked myself, "Am I just a terrible singer? Have people been lying this whole time to spare my feelings?" (Which, hopefully, isn't the case.) You see, though, the audition wasn't 100% your singing voice - it was the song you chose, how it fit your vocal range, your ability to learn choreography quickly, your boldness, your facial expressions, your ability to stay strong under pressure, and all of these other qualifications that were being observed. Truth be told, I'm not a good dancer. I don't have an extensive background in dancing that has helped me prepare for this audition since my childhood. I get stressed sometimes and show it on my face. Sometimes, I forget to smile when I mess up on a turn or a sour note. I don't have that insanely bold bone in me that shines when I'm on stage. I get nervous, like, all the time.

But this doesn't mean I'm all-around terrible.

I decided to approach my choral teacher and simply as why I didn't make it. Now, I wasn't rude or angry. I literally said: "Can I ask you a question? I was wondering if you could tell me why I didn't get in, just so that I could improve for next year." (Which wasn't a lie.) Yes, I was upset and a little (okay, a lot) ill about the whole ordeal, but that didn't - and still doesn't - give me the right to be disrespectful. After all, if I was rude when I wasn't accepted, how would I ever get in next year?

His answer was just that my voice was very good, but my dancing wasn't big enough. I wasn't offended (or shocked, to be honest) when he told me this because I already knew I can't dance. (It's a fact.)

Each individual has their own talents that they can show off and be proud of. It may be sports, playing an instrument, cooking, writing, public speaking, etc, etc. For me, I believe that it's singing (with a hint of writing; I do have a blog, after all.) However, each individual also has their own "thing" that they just aren't good at. Mine, for example, is dancing. Despite how outstanding (or terrible) you are in your hobby or talent, you won't win everything. You won't always get first place, and you won't always win the biggest trophy of all.

That's okay. You're not going to be good at everything.

God gives each of us a special talent and ability. His purpose for this is that we can use this outlet to glorify God. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11, etc.) Some people may say, "Well, I don't know how to use my talent to make God look good so I just won't." When in reality, there's hardly any talent that you may have that you can't use to give God the glory.

This term doesn't just apply to things like instruments and art, though. I recommend completing part one of this questionnaire to kind of get a hint at what your spiritual gift. It really helped me out when I did it!

I encourage you to discover that unique talent of use and find creative ways to spread God's word through your work. You never know when it may be the perfect time to minister to someone and lead them to Christ. One kind act, one track, one verse: you can make a difference in someone's life for the better.

Image Source: http://www.beautylish.com/a/vpizr/talking-to-your-audience