Image credit: http://lifehacker.com/5831343/everyone-is-a-genius |
I love the caption in this image: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
I've been fortunate enough in life to be in the company of many great artists, orators, strategists, intellectuals, administrators, empathizers, and leaders. They wield their gifts with skill and craftsmanship like a tool in the hands of a Master.
They are inspiring to behold.
Like an eagle made for the sky or a dolphin made for the sea, people living free from their design is awesome and wonderful. What belabors me though is not in the experiencing them alive in their environment but how so many Christians deny the genius of their design. Or rather, owning the genius-- the God-given talents-- of their design.
Have you ever complimented a musician after an exceptional worship experience only to have them dismiss it like this, "Oh, it wasn't me, it was God. He did all the work."
This sounds very nice and spiritual but it leaves me wondering, "Really, so who then was playing the guitar up there? Who sang those lyrics with a mixture of reverence and passion?" Sure, God gave you the gift but you were present, active, and engaged in not only skillfully wielding it but honing it.
Erwin McManus recently put it like this, "We abdicate responsibility when we blame God with all the credit. 'No, it was you, and the Lord is really, really pleased with you.' Our language intended to uphold the sovereignty of God has actually diminished the will of man."
Why is it that as Followers of Jesus we can't seem to grasp that God designed us for a purpose and reason... and that we're okay with that? We have a genius that we bring to the world and that was by HIS design. Of course God bestowed that gifting upon you! Now, go do it better than anyone else. Work hard to hone your crafting. Then, when someone compliments you, simply thank them with genuine gratitude.
Denying or refusing to acknowledge our genius or not developing it is arrogant and deprives the world of the gift of our design, our uniqueness, our art. This world needs our imagination and ingenuity.
As Erwin McManus put it, "God gave Adam and Eve ownership and responsibility. He didn’t say: 'Don’t do anything until I come back!'"
Next time you're in conversation with someone, have an internal dialog with them and ask, "What is powerfully unique and true of you?" Get curious about what makes them come alive. Then, call it forth. Unearth the gold of this naturally creative person and admire it. Show them why they matter and name it.
We need more people like you with the audacity to call forth the genius you see and experience in others and yourself.
The Erwin McManus quotes reproduced here can be found at Eric Bryant's blog: http://bit.ly/OzXVqZ