I love watching football. I was a left-footed, tactical winger in my early secondary school days. In today’s world of football, there are two players who always dominated the Ballon d’Or award. They also cause a lot of arguments between their fans. My opinion about the duo is this, one can be said to be talented, the other very hardworking; his hard work compensated for lack of talent so you cannot really tell who is better between the two.

Friend, hard work will always beat talent when talent does not work hard. Talent is never enough! A lot of people do not perform up to their best because of this deception of talent. Like Samson, they feel that they can always shake themselves and perform, forgetting that they have left the discipline of sustaining a thriving relationship with God (Judges 16:20). We need to set the right scriptural balance between talent and hard work.

When it comes to the pursuit of destiny, Apostle Peter had this to say; “…add to your faith, virtue…” (2 Peter 1:5-6). What does this tells us? It means that until you add the required forces to your God-given gifts and abilities, you would be unfruitful in destiny (2 Peter 1:8). Whereas, God supplies the calling, you need to supply the diligence (2 Peter 1:10).

What makes you succeed or fail is not what God gave or did not give you, but what you do with it (Matthew 25:14-30). The truth is, we have been given all we need to succeed in life (2 Peter 1:3). I have stopped giving excuses about what I have or lack. I have stopped blaming God, the devil, people or life generally for what is happening or not happening to me. I have decided to leverage God’s Grace to labour in my area of assignment (1 Corinthians 15:10).

This year, make a decision to “add” to your life and activities the necessary diligence to make it work. You have got to work hard, whether you think you have talent/gift or not. And for those who are very talented, gifted or anointed, as the case may be, don’t be deceived by these divine donations, get to work! You need to see your gifts and talents as leverage for achieving better results.

My prayer for you today is that you would take the posture of diligence so you can deliver up to the capacity of greatness on your inside. I trust God to open your eyes to see the connection between your talents and your diligence. May you see the need to work better with your talent; working well, smart and with consistency. May it never be said of you that you failed, despite your talent or that you couldn’t make it because you think you cannot. Amen!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria