The Least Likely

Every so often we are forced to go to places that we find intimidating and scary.  If you have ever had to go to the bathroom, I mean really go, and the only option for miles around was the restroom at a rundown gas station, you know what I mean.  You think about finding a bush to hide behind, or just how embarrassing it would be to wet yourself, but your pride compels you to enter that dark, disgusting, outhouse from hell. 
Well, recently I had to go to one of those places that freaks me out as much, if not more, than a gas station bathroom.  I was required to go to an art and craft store.  Laugh if you will, but these establishments are a house of horrors for me.  All that glue, glitter, paint and Popsicle sticks...I shudder just thinking about it.  I am not artsy or crafty.  I possess no discernible skill or aptitude for such things.  I make my living with words (and my awesome good looks).  I like words and I think they like me as well.  Spoken or written does not matter, I am able to create pretty much anything I want from words.  Put a piece of construction paper in my hands, however, and it can get ugly.  Fast.
My lack of talent was identified early on by my elementary school teachers.  My artwork never won any awards, in fact nothing I drew or sculpted ever made it past the "Nice Job" sticker that everyone got just for trying.   I am not blaming my teachers for my phobia of arts and crafts.  The truth hurts and they had nothing to gain by pretending that I possessed even a shred of ability.  At least they were kind enough to not laugh in my face.
I have recently decided that it is time to conquer my fear.  So, not only did I go to the art and craft store without the security of my wife and youngest child (both of whom have significant artistic ability.  Nothing like getting an artistic beat down by a 6 year old to help the old self esteem!)  I also registered for an art class.  I still am trying to figure out why I decided to get brave and subject myself to a humiliating reaffirmation of my dearth of artistic talent.  The first night of the class was consumed by several drawing projects so the teacher could get a feel for our talent level.  When she looked at my work her face betrayed no shock or disappointment, but her words said it all, "What an, er, interesting artistic rendering."  I am certain that she is even now reevaluating her desire to teach the likes of me.
There are many things that I am not good at.  Home improvement projects, making the bed, and appreciating any film with Hugh Grant top the list, but they are not alone.  Over the last four decades I have,through trial and err, discovered many areas that are not my strong suits.  I am willing to venture that you are aware of those things that you are not very good at.  Sometimes we feel more defined by what we can't do as by what we can.  So we tend to limit ourselves, staying away from tasks that require math or music or public speaking or even a modest understanding of plumbing.  We turn down opportunities because we know with great certainty that, well, we just plain suck at what every skill is required to play basketball or knit or watch Hugh Grant flicks. 
Dear reader, today I would like to affirm your inabilities.  In fact I want to challenge you to spend a significant chunk of your day thinking about those many things you don't do well.  Forget about what you are gifted at, I want you to make a list, and check it twice, of everything you know (and everybody else knows) you lack the skills and competency to do.  Study it.  Memorize it.  Frame it (unless, like me, you are not so gifted at sticking a piece of paper in a frame without getting at least one corner all crumpled up).  Acknowledge your limitations, celebrate your deficiencies, revel in your skilllessness.  And then, get ready.
Get ready for what?  Something extraordinary.  See, for all of human history God has taken delight in taking people and using them to accomplish great things.  From time to time God uses our gifts and skills, but God really enjoys taking our weaknesses and turning them into strengths.  Illiterate shepherd boys become great kings, cowards who stutter are turned into freedom fighters, and average Joe's and Jane's are transformed into leaders who inspire others.  The greater the weakness the more interested God is in using it.  That is just how God rolls.  With God all things are not only possible, they happen.  Everyday.  In and through people who have no business doing what God calls them to do.
There is one catch - you have to be willing to let God work.  It is hard, I know.  Our instinct is to shy away from things we are not good at. We don't want to go to scary and intimidating places.   But, if you are willing to take the risk, well, watch out! 
So, I want to you to do something.  Look at your list of can nots.  I promise you, nay I even double your money back guarantee you that at some point in your life God will use at least one of those things you really suck at and turn it into something that will change your life and the life of people you don't even know.  And what a great day that will be!

Copyright © 2011, Roger Burns-Watson, All Rights Reserved