For as long as I can remember, I believed that biblical humility, i.e. putting others before yourself, meant downplaying your own talents and abilities. In some strange way, I believed that thinking I was better at something than someone else, and rightfully asserting as much, was an undesirable character trait for a self-professed Christian. I never wanted to be seen as arrogant, or selfish, or condescending. Granted, I can be all of those, and have been, but I far too often erred on the side of false humility. It was this false humility that led to a lessening of self-worth, as if I consciously desired to increase my insecurities.

But the revelation I had is that my false humility is actually grandiose arrogance, hubris in its highest and most deceitful form. In declining to assert my talents, I’m essentially telling God that what He’s given me to work with isn’t good enough. Or, like the third person in the parable of the talents, I’m too lazy to make use of what’s been given me. If I agree that God’s gifted me in some specific way, then I have to hone that skill, and honing takes daily, dedicated work. If I agree that there are a few things in life that I’m good at, then there’s a mounting inner pressure to do something of worth with those gifts.

So if I seem a little more prideful, take me to task and ask me exactly how I’m exercising and using the talents within me.

By the way, what keeps you from fully utilizing your talents?

{This post is indirectly descended from The War of Art, an excellent book by Steven Pressfield, in which he more fully describes the exact things that prevent us from using our talents}.