I am settling into a routine here at Kiowa, and I must admit, I am enjoying my time here. I live across the street from the Elbert County fairgrounds, and I was very happy to be able to visit the fair last month. I have always enjoyed looking at the animals, and I even took a crack at the backseat driver's race (don't ask), but I was especially taken by the exhibits housed at our church's Fellowship Hall and at the Agriculture Building at the fairgrounds. All kinds of categories were included, from the ugliest spider, to preserves, to art, to woodworking. As I walked down the aisles, I was quite impressed by the talent represented by these entries. As I looked at the exhibits, I could see the love that went into each one. It was obvious that the entries represented years of experience in this respected field. Win or lose, contestants could be proud of their talents and their entries.
Historically, the Christian church has had a difficult time dealing with talent in the church. We have always been an organization heavily dependent on volunteers, yet we have often been hesitant to encourage the development of talent, and even more hesitant to praise those who display talent, fearing that those praised will become prideful. Growing up in the church, I remember feeling embarrassed, when told that I had done well at church. I immediately attempted to deflect any complement, for fear of being thought proud.
I think the church can take a lesson from the Elbert County Fair. Those who provided entries in the various categories seemed to be motivated by a desire to share with the town their passions, to express themselves and, just as importantly, to stake their claim in the community. They are proud of what they have learned, of what abilities they have been given, and of the talents they have developed.
In fact, God has placed us here on earth to do good works and, rather than feel awkward about doing those good works well, we should be proud that we can fit into God's plan so well. Not the kind of pride that says, "I am better than you because of my talent", but rather, "I am proud to be able to be a part God's program; I am proud to know that God has a place for me in His body".
This is pride, the way God intended. Not the pride that divides, but the pride that spurs us on, to be the best we can be; but, when all is said and done, the pride that remembers that we are not at center stage, but rather, it is God who is to be praised through all we do.
