Article August 9, 1993 ISSUE

Progress, and redeeming our unredeemed strengths

Talents and abilities shine in a way we've never imagined when we learn their spiritual origin.

Donald R. Rippberger

I once worked for a full year on an important project, only to find it rejected by people who knew little of it. At first I felt disturbed and resentful; it seemed they just did not understand. But as I began to pray about my situation, this Biblical passage from the Old Testament came to thought: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov. 3:5).

Had I been leaning on my own understanding? Did I believe that any ability I had brought to the assignment was my own? By virtue of my education was I better than others? Because of my profession or administrative abilities, did I believe I could run others? Wasn't it my purpose instead to follow Christ Jesus' example and to serve God through humility, wisdom, love? It became clearer than ever to me that all human strengths must be redeemed to serve our Father, no matter to what human heights we may have risen.

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