The stewardship message for August is about talent.  I think we are often reluctant to acknowledge our talents.   Is it a trait of Lutheranism, perhaps exacerbated by being Minnesotans, that we minimize our accomplishments so as not to appear boastful? 

I looked up the word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.  The pertinent definition is “a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude.”  We can think of basketball players, dancers, and painters who are described as having God-given talent. 

The next part of the definition includes general intelligence or mental power as aspects of talent. Albert Einstein certainly fits that bill.  But, what about the rest of us? 

Well, the end of the dictionary definition simply reads “ABILITY”.  It really is printed in all capital letters and is underlined.  Wow!  Talent also refers to what we are able to do.  Most of us are able to contribute to maintaining our homes and personal lives – cooking, cleaning, mowing, fixing broken things, balancing the budget, teaching our children, and pursuing hobbies like playing an instrument, quilting, or fishing. 

What about our church home?  Through the wealth of its members’ abilities, the church and our spiritual lives are maintained – members cook for events, members pick up after themselves and do special cleaning projects, members mow, members fix broken items, members help with the budget, members teach our children, members pursue hobbies through playing special music during the service, making quilts which carry our prayers for those needing comfort, and could take a youth group on a local fishing trip. 

Johan Sebastian Bach was a very gifted composer.  His musical abilities are definitely what we think of as creative and artistic talent.  He always acknowledged the source of his talent.  On each piece he composed, he wrote the letters SDG which stand for Sola Deo Gloria – to God alone be the glory.  There is a tombstone in Great Britain which reads, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes to the glory of God, for 40 years.”  It sounds to me like he was proud to share his God-given ability to provide a needed service in his community. 

Whether a talent is revered like that of Bach, or is more pedestrian like Cobb’s, what better place than church to use that ability from God for the glory of God?

Submitted by Anna Schroder Howitz