Using your talents to do God's work

All of us have talents.  Some can sing, play, or write published works that will one day make it big while others are incredible athletes in high school, college, and maybe even professional levels.  Some are amazing teachers in anything from school subjects, to sports, to religion.  Whatever your talent is, whether big or small or something as simple as getting A's in school or listening to others, it is important and you can use it to impact the world.  God blessed each of us with unique talents that we can use to make a difference. 
     It took me a long time to understand that I don't have to visit third world countries or change who I am to use my gifts to glorify God and make the world a better place.  We can use our talents to make people happy, to inspire future generations, to help others going through similar situations we have overcome, to share God's love; the possibilities are endless!  Just being kind to those around you, sharing your beliefs, and working to improve everyday is making a difference.  There is so much negativity in the world today about people, making it big, money, family, everything is being twisted in a negative way until nothing makes us happy anymore.  We can stand up and show the world that family is important, winning isn't everything, perseverance pays off, and if we put our trust in the Lord then everything will be ok.
     I am inspired but artists such as Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Tobymac who admit their mistakes, but don't let them define who they are.  They are always in the limelight and they aren't perfect but they don't let what people think about them run their lives.  They share their incredible talents with the world and inspire me to keep going even when you mess up and feel judged.  They write songs people all around the world can relate too and make sure everybody knows that they are not alone in what they are going through.  They never fail to mention God's role in helping them to get to where they are. 
     Athletes in basketball and football are proudly standing up for what they believe in and showing the world that God and family is more important and that you can make it big and still live your beliefs.  Being a rodeo athlete myself I love champion barrel racer, Fallon Taylor, who didn't let failure at the National Finals Rodeo get her down in 2013, but she used it as a learning experience and came back and won the title in 2014.  She is known for being positive and upbeat even when things don't go her way and she doesn't care what others think of her eccentric outfits, makeup, or not too popular helmets, she just does what she loves.  And she is all about helping the ameuteurs out there who dream of making it big.  She trains, gives traveling clinics, releases videos and dvds to give advice and help share what she has learned, and she is out making helmets cool (she actually started a huge trend in safety as well as her crazy colored pants).  Win or lose, there is a wide smile on her face and she never has anything but grateful and humbling things to say. 
     So maybe you aren't a world famous singer or actor and you can't paint a Picasso or make the pros in sports, but that doesn't mean that your talent is worthless.  It just means that it can be used in a different way than you originally imagined.  Your talents are important and so are you!  Just because it is hard and people don't believe in you doesn't mean that you can't do it!  Don't give up!  Because if the Lord is at the center of everything you do, then you will be an instrument in his hands, using your talents to enlighten the ever darkening world around us.  Go out and make a difference!  Inspire those who want to give up or don't want to get up anymore.  Smile at the world that puts you down and be kind to those who mock.  Be yourself and remember that you matter!