Psalm 26:1-8

This morning as we start, I want to do a little exercise.  Each of us has talents or abilities, something that we’re good at, right?  Ok, so I want you to take a couple of seconds and think of something that you’re good at.   Does everybody have something?  If you’re really struggling to think of something you’re good at or to think of an ability that you have, and you have a friend or family member here, ask them.  As you’re thinking about what you are good at, I don’t want you to compare yourself with someone else.  It’s not a competition; I just want you to think of something you’re good at.

Now, once you have that think in mind that you are good at, I want you to tell someone next to you what it is that you’re good at.  Don’t beat around the bush either.  Just simply say, “I’m good at __________.”  No explanations.

How did it feel to tell someone that?  Was it easy or uncomfortable?  What was running through your mind as you were actually saying those words?

For some, this is probably an easy thing to do.  This is a sign of confidence in what you’re gifted in which certainly isn’t a bad thing.  In fact, it’s a very good thing, especially when we can use what we’re confident in to serve the Lord.  For others, though, it’s a difficult thing to do; it’s one thing to know that we’re good at something, but it’s completely different to actually verbalize it to someone else.  I know for me the hardest thing about this is coming across as arrogant.  Arrogance is when someone makes presumptuous claims or has an attitude of superiority based on their abilities and no one wants to feel like what we are good at is inferior to someone else.  So there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but there is a huge difference in how the two are perceived.