Emphasis Preaching Journal

A gifted child used to be thought of as someone possessing a very high I.Q. In the last ten years or so, gifted children are regarded as those who have strong and definite desires to pursue particular objectives. It doesn't mean they are especially bright in their reasoning powers; as long as they have a keen interest in some subject, they are referred to as "gifted" and, in school, they are treated with particular care to develop those innate or early desires.

The literal meaning of education is "to lead out." It's not putting ideas into the children's minds but bringing out those ideas and desires which are already there.

Jeremiah was "a born prophet," although he feared the magnitude of the calling and shrank from it. God, like the perceptive and understanding teacher, encouraged him to pursue the natural qualities and abilities which were born within him.

If we have a unique talent in some area, we have an advantage over others and we need not fear to follow our calling. Whether it's a call to minister, like Jeremiah, to pursue science, art, mechanics, etc.; we should follow our dreams and put into action the natural abilities we possess.

Fear of failure should not be a consideration, for if God plants the seed, he has already envisioned the flowering.