How Do I Use My Talents for God?

Hey, we're back! Our topic this week is "How do I use my talents for God?" People really want to know what that is all about, and we have some good guys here to help explain it.

The Talents of Ethan and Steve

Why do I say that? Well, Ethan is politically minded; he debates atheists and has a keen sense of language and thought. And then there's Steve. I'm telling you, this guy is amazing when it comes to talents. Music is just one of the things that blows my mind. Besides music production, he has a number of other talents—he can tell you about snapping turtles, ants, and even ice hockey.

Applying Your Talents in a Christian Context

What does all this stuff have to do with being a Christian? It depends on how you apply it. You could be like me and email Sean one random Monday morning – I don’t know when I emailed them, but you end up on the show and working with them every Sunday. You just have to see where God takes you and seize the opportunity to take a chance. Before this ministry, I asked pastors for opportunities to speak on certain issues. I tried to discuss with them, but most, if not all, turned me down on the offers. But you just have to keep trying and use whatever talent you have for God, whether it's music like Steve, public speaking and debating like me, or even if your gift is, well, pissing people off. It's my gift; it's a spiritual gift that was removed from the New Testament [Laughter].

A Personal Experience with Music in Church

Years ago, I called into the show about this exact issue because I was trying to use my gifts and talents in music within the church, and I found it just wasn't fulfilling. It was distracting and not what it's all about. So, I ended up calling into "Heart of the Matter" to say, "Hey, what do you think about it?" We had a good conversation about emotionalism—how worship should be done in truth in church and whatnot.

Expressing Your Talents Authentically

As far as using your talents, I think it's just about using them. If you're a Christian, you can sing, write, or play about what matters to you. It’s going to be faith-related things but also earthly things because we're on Earth right now. Still, showing love, no matter what you do, is important. You don't have to label yourself as a Christian speaker, a Christian band, or a Christian entomologist if you like ants.

The Narrative of Christian Talents

Sorry to interrupt, but this is important. There's an idea that being a Christian and using your talents for Christ has to fit within the church's narrative—that to be a real Christian, Ethan should be an apologist like Ravi Zacharias. Oops, can we still talk about Ravi? Yes, you can, but that's another Christianese thing we're doing now. Does Ethan need to speak at churches or produce Christian music and be in a worship band instead of a Hollywood band?

What's interesting to me is that Steve's music is antithetical to what people think is Christian music. It is heavy, drop D music, isn't it? Is it lower than D? My grandpa would love your music, Steve. Is that the grandpa who drinks? Yes, he only listens to it after five or ten drinks; before that, it's just Enya all the time.

Exploring the Role of Faith in Art and Talent

Serving with Talent Beyond the Church

When discussing the intersection of faith and talent, a question often arises: Is someone truly serving Christ with their talents if they only serve within their church? There seems to be a belief that one can use their talents more effectively outside of the church. While the church community provides a platform, it is relatively small, and the world beyond offers broader reaches for spreading love and showcasing talents.

The Struggle of Christian Labels in Music

In the music world, especially among Christian bands, opinions are diverse. Christian bands may resonate with those within the faith, but can be off-putting to a broader audience, myself included. Interestingly, in the past, several metal bands labeled themselves as Christian merely to fit into a niche group, despite not aligning with the faith. This trend became exhaustive and disheartening over time. It's arguably more effective to simply be a band where one’s faith is personal, away from being confined to the Christian label.

Breaking Away from Traditional Boundaries

There is a compelling argument that Christians can accomplish more by practicing their faith openly in various arenas, rather than being limited to Christian-specific spaces. Personally, I've never found opportunities within church confines because I wasn’t allowed. But stepping outside of traditional boundaries can lead to more impactful contributions to one’s faith.

Opportunities Beyond Fellowship Groups

Once, I participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a significant group within schools. Though I had meaningful engagements with the youth, the leadership didn’t always approve. Perhaps it was due to broaching topics beyond the typical affirmations. My approach was about questioning the core reasons for belief, beyond just love and fellowship, prompting young minds to think critically and ask genuine questions.

Encouragement for Using Talents for Faith

For those looking to use their talents for Christ, the key is to pursue every opportunity and find like-minded individuals or ministries. While sometimes doors may close, the right paths will eventually open. For instance, a spontaneous decision to write a book led me to launch a podcast, eventually bringing me onto this show. These experiences represent the unforeseen trajectories when one dares to utilize their talents beyond traditional or expected confines.

Reflections on Co-Hosting and Faith

Journey of a Year and a Half

Co-hosting the show has been an incredible journey over the past year and a half. It's been a testament to the importance of allowing Christ to guide you. It's crucial to give God the opportunity to shape your path, to make a plan, and to always fight for what you believe in. Keep working towards your ultimate goal, as bigger doesn't necessarily mean better.

Understanding Success in Ministry

A broad audience is not always indicative of success in God's eyes. Impact can be found in connecting with even one person who is the right person in your ministry. Whether you're a chef making a burger for the right person or someone sharing Jesus in an everyday setting, both are equally important. We cannot judge success by weights and measures but by aligning with God's will and sharing what you were created to do.

Personal Impact with Smaller Audiences

I agree that sometimes we have a bigger impact on smaller audiences because the experience is more personal. This is true whether you are involved in music, speaking, or any other field. Steve, for example, has done stand-up comedy in downtown Salt Lake City, engaging with different crowds. He participated in the live podcast "Kill Tony," where he was appreciated for being himself.

Engaging in Faith as Your True Self

Ethan engages with atheists, not shying away from sharing his gifts and talents as a believer. Being a believer doesn't mean you must fit into a specific mold. Whether you're an artist or science-driven, you should be what God made you to be. It's vital for people to discover, often later, the root of your kindness and patience, leading them to realize your faith in Christianity.

Upcoming Discussions on Faith

Next week, we'll explore the broad and diverse topic of what rules Christians live by. If you've seen any of our shows, you might anticipate where this conversation is headed. Redundancy is part of our process, stretching topics out and examining them from different angles. We'll continue discussing these themes next week on Christian AnarchySomeone who follows Christ as their only authority—rejecting institutional control over their spiritual life. Today.

A Lighthearted Sign-Off

As we wrap up, there was a fun moment where we thought about doing a wave or a "Three Stooges" style goodbye. It's all part of the joy and humor that we embrace in this journey together.