Will the Real Talent Please Stand Up!

Microphone in hand, she smiled at the group of women as the soundtrack keyed up. I love music more than teaching or preaching of the Word. I relaxed in my chair expecting to enjoy and be blessed by this, but from the first note, caterwauling is the only way I can describe her performance.

 

Bless her heart, it was obvious she’d been watching too many country-western singers. She groaned, screeched, and gyrated, all the while beaming like she was the cat’s meow. She desecrated a beautiful gospel song made popular by the Gaithers. My ears cringed with the assault while my heart ached for this young lady who obviously felt she was more talented than Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, or, for the younger generation, Carrie Underwood.

 

And so it is with writers. With the advent of blogging, self-publishing, and other avenues that don’t require a professional’s acceptance or denial, more horrendous writing can be found – written by people like the young lady I mentioned. Their grammar, spelling, and flow is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I am not an expert by any means, but I can spot poorly written material.

 

The sad thing is that most people who truly believe they are gifted with God-given talent in a certain craft are offended and defensive when someone criticizes their performance. Sometimes it’s not even criticism that’s offered, it is advice or suggestions. Yet their response can even border on hostility, “How dare you not love what I do!”

 

True artists strive to continually perfect their talent. Sure, criticism hurts. Rejection of our talent makes us question our abilities. Whenever faced with this, always ask yourself what you can gain by paying heed. If we were all experts, there would never be a need for bosses, mentors, authority, or leadership of any kind.

 

So, to all writers and creative artists, persevere forward. Just because someone doesn’t like your writing, singing, artwork, or performance doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have talent. BUT, just maybe whatever desire you’re pursuing, it’s not your gifting. Examine yourself, and pray!

Writing Despite Critism

It seems we spend our lives chasing dreams and goals and purposes. I always wanted to write, but it wasn’t until I was sixty years old that writing became a burning, driving force inside me.

As a beginning writer, or for some seasoned authors, we seek affirmation that writing is truly what we should be doing. We pour our hearts out on paper (or in our computer), and sit back and expect the praise to roll in. Why wouldn’t it? We feel called to write, so obviously our gifting and talent should be apparent to everyone.

I found it’s much like learning to walk. We got the basics down. We can get from point A to point B. But simply because we can walk doesn’t mean we’re capable of running a marathon, or walking to a car, climbing in and driving off.  Toddlers can’t do any of those things yet.

I’ve learned you have to be willing to take criticism, correction, and accept that some may not like what you write, or even your writing style. To be successful, you have to determine that you will take all that-- the good and the bad--and learn from it, and not let it ruin you.

That’s easier said than done, especially if your personality is like mine: a people-pleaser.  I agonize whenever I think someone doesn’t like me, or finds fault with something I do. I wished, desperately wish sometimes, that I wasn’t like that.

I have to constantly remind myself of who I am in Christ. When I doubted my ability as a writer, God spoke to me. He said, “Who are you? Are you who others say you are, or are you who I say you are?”

That’s enough encouragement for me.