What's more important?

[BrotherDave]

I've been studying successful people and have this question to ask:

What's more important Talent or Contacts?

How many talented people are there in the world whose work is never seen because they don't have the contacts?

How many un or moderately talented people are very well seen because they know somebody who will promote their stuff?

Just courious. Anyone care to answer?

brotherdave

[lbuffaloe]

Okay, that's a tough one. My vote is -- without talent, contacts are of little use. However, if your talent is based on and from God, then you have the ultimate contact - God. Did that make sense? :rolleyes:

[AngelAzariah]

_____Talent is of little importants, and nither are contacts if you ask me. I think the improtant thing is that we witness. For example:
_____Kriswrite has her work published by a big name. I could complain and say, "Why her work and not mine? I have a heart for ministry too."
_____John 21: 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
_____Matthew 25: 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
_____With those two portions of scripture, I think of my work like this. I have been given what God saw fit, I'm responsible for my own walk, be it great or small. I should work with what I have and be of good cheer. I'm blessed and joyed by the few e-mails that I recive. Also, if you take note of the scripture each servent that brout something back had the same thing said to them, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
_____Hope I didn't get too preachy there, church had an effect on me I guess. :p

[BrotherDave]

Angel,
That's one of the best posts I've ever read here.
Thanks for the ministry!

brotherdave

[AngelAzariah]

_____Just passing on the Good Word. :) Go forth and pass it on to another. (I got scripture to back that one too) :D

[BrotherDave]

Angel,

You got me thinking. I've been working very hard lately on "my" stuff and quite depressed that I'm getting old and my legacy is not going anywhere. After your word above I redirected my eyes a little. Here's what I saw.

Vision
Looking for
What can I do for me?
causes introspection
and interuption
of my thoughts, feelings, and leanings.
What bounces back to me
is Disapointment.

Vision
Looking for
What can I do with my gift for my master?
causes introspection'
and interuption
of my wants, and desires, feelings, and leanings.
what bounces back to me
is Divine appointment.

Not unto me, O Lord, be thy glory,
which you share with no man,
But unto thee, O Lord, be the glory.
Use me,
Don't allow me to use you.

amen.

[AngelAzariah]

_____Amen, and amen.

[edmmom]

Thank you Azariah! You need not worry about sounding preachy, the words were exactly what we all need to keep in mind. May God continue to bless you and keep you! Brother Dave, thank you for that lovely poem! The two of you really put things in perspective. Thank you both for reminding me to stay focused on God and on serving Him, and not allow obstacles to stand in my way!

[jvdoles]

Which is more important--your left left or your right?

Sure, you can probably hop around okay on either one. Oh, but when you have both working together ...

There' s no reason we shouldn't go for both. Talent can be developed, contacts can be cultivated.

[DearPrudence]

What's more important Talent or Contacts?



I see them as equal. One needs talent (of some kind) and one also needs a good agent (or publisher) too.

[ProfessorAlan]

I've talked about goal-setting in other posts, and goals are tricky little things. I never make it a goal to "be published," because that is out of my hands -- editors, agents, etc . . . all of those "contacts" . . . I can't control them, so my goals do not involve them (my dreams do, but goals and dreams are very very very different animals).

Related to Angel's post, I always think of my goals in terms of what I can do to glorify God in light of my own talents and my responsibiliy to those giftings. Don't get me wrong, I am going to pursue publication, I certainly want to be published, but my paradigm allows me to be a successful writer in God's eyes based just on my writing, no matter how "successful" it is in other's eyes.

[Merry]

I must second the Professor! !thumbsup!

[jvdoles]

I've talked about goal-setting in other posts, and goals are tricky little things. I never make it a goal to "be published," because that is out of my hands -- editors, agents, etc . . . all of those "contacts" . . . I can't control them, so my goals do not involve them (my dreams do, but goals and dreams are very very very different animals).


You reminded me of a quote form Lilly Tomlin: "I always wanted to be somebody when I grew up. I guess I should have been more specific." :)

[DearPrudence]

I never make it a goal to "be published," because that is out of my hands -- editors, agents, etc . . . all of those "contacts" . . . I can't control them, so my goals do not involve them (my dreams do, but goals and dreams are very very very different animals).




Here, here. Let the writers write, let the agents do their thing, and trust God with the outcome.

[DrRita]

Amen Angel!! Great insight Professor!! I love both these posts. They were very encouraging and uplifiting. I believe we can depend on God to bring us through all the discouragement, down times, distractions and onward to the completion of our calling.
May I add just a couple of thoughts to the already abundant wisdom shared here?

Talent comes from God but it must be used, like a tool, for building the kingdom.
Contacts are orchestrated by God and we must be listening to take advantage of them. Since we know not the future, how can we get discouraged or down about what hasn't happened??? That's just like the devil to project failure on a blank slate! God is bigger than our doubt and fear. Now I'M preaching :o

Great thread, Brother Dave.

[AngelAzariah]

http://bestsmileys.com/sleeping/10.gif
_____Sorry I couldn't help myself there.

[DrRita]

Angel,
You're not the first to fall asleep during one of my sermons. LOL!! I love the gifs at BestSmileys. So cute.

[paulchernoch]

It seems to me that talent recognized as talent will win a certain following. And a well-connected person will win a certain audience for their views. But since we are called upon to make disciples of all nations, all that really matters is love. We are supposed to make good use of worldly wealth so that we can be entrusted with heavenly riches. So though a fortunate person can exploit their contacts regardless of the content of their work, and a clever person can dazzle with their technique, a loving person will win friends, some of whom may become contacts useful in publishing or marketing, and that loving person will write what is useful to others and not just themselves.

- Paul

[jacx1938]

I came to a crises point about my writing, and was in travailing in prayer all night because of it. I was just about at my wits end with it. Today I read the posts on this thread. I don't know if you folks understand the term "Rhema," but that constitutes the "revealed" Word of God--when He opens it up and personally instructs you. I have no words to thank Him for directing some of you to share what you did. I hope some of you will have the time to read Chapter one--"The Mask." over at the non-fiction thread. This was as far as I could take it before I heard from God. Am feverishly working on the re-write, based on what He showed me through your posts. I was pretty sure He led me to this group; now I'm very sure! (grin)

Jim.