Fear and talents

I remember as my roommates and I got moved into our Freshman dorms at BYU, our new Bishopric emailed out a “get-to-know-you” survey to everyone.

I’m sure that Bishopric was overwhelmed with having to meet 180 18-19 year olds all at the same time, and issue callings as quickly as possible. 

Of course, one of the questions was:

Do you play the piano?

I remember talking to a friend who immediately said:

“There is NO way I’m admitting that I can play the piano. Because that would get me stuck with a piano calling!”

I laughed and totally empathized with her not wanting to play the piano for everything at church.

And… I was even tempted to fill it out untruthfully too.

But I also remembered the lessons my parents had taught me about sharing my talents with everything at church. They were great examples of sharing their strengths with their ward.

I filled out the survey, saying that I did play the piano.

The Lord was talking to many of the men who had traveled to Missouri in D&C 60:2, he said that:

“But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man.”

These men were hiding their talents because of the fear of men!

I’ve learned that anything fear-based is not coming from God.

If I’m afraid of people judging me, or comparing me, or if I’m afraid of getting a certain calling, or if I’m afraid of being asked to volunteer in some way…

That doesn’t feel generous and loving to me.

It probably means that I have some jealousy to work on.

In fact, this makes me think of what I shared about the Law of Consecration a couple of weeks ago.

ALL of my talents and gifts come from God anyways.

Anything that I do to increase my talents and gifts, whether it’s a musical gift, or it’s just opening my mouth and talking about the gospel…

Anything that I can do to increase any gift, is showing gratitude to the Lord anyways. 

Gratitude is the key.

When I’m filled with gratitude, then I don’t have any fear.

I want to be so ridiculously generous with my time and all of my talents, because I want the Lord to know I would give it all back to Him!

No fear. Only gratitude.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black