We all have some kind of God given talent.  Why is it so hard for others (including myself)  to recognize our talent?  Even worse, why don’t others knowing they have one…just don’t want to share it?  Isn’t the purpose of the body of Christ for us to come together as a community of believers to share, grow, and pray with each other?  Shouldn’t we be lifting each other up to Him, and all for the glory of Him?

Maybe there is more?  Maybe we are more?  There are so many people who have great talents to share, and in many different kinds of ways; such as through poetry, good communicated thoughts, through art and music, and even from experiences or intuition that allow for sharing of wisdom. People might begin to realize that they have the potential to be more than they think they are…or even more than what others might expect.

I love Tenth Avenue North‘s song, “You Are More“!  The making of the video (http://tenthavenuenorth.com/videos)  is a testimony in and of itself.  The band members are lighthearted in the making of the video; but, definitely get their points across.  The making of the video and the song should both be viewed.  Below is a portion of their song:

“‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done, 
But what’s been done for you.
This is not about where you’ve been, 
But where your brokenness brings you to.,

This is not about what you feel, 
But what He felt to forgive you, 
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you’ve made, 
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes, 
You are more than the problems you create, 
You’ve been remade.”

  ~ Tenth Avenue North  “You Are More”

The band, and the producers, had people write in words and/or phrases that might include mistakes they have made, things they may have been labeled as, or painful experiences or secrets wanting to hide.

The lead vocal, Mike, reassures us that we all make mistakes.  No one is perfect (but Christ).  He also reaffirms that the good news from the gospel tells us that despite our mistakes…and because of the blood of Jesus…we are made new.  Do you hear that!  We are made new!  We are made in His image.  We can be forgiven for our past mistakes, our heinous secrets, or whatever lies the devil wants us to believe.

The fact they used real people in the video made it more apparently real to me.  Also, at the end when the water flows over the chalkboard, like art or a beautiful poem, I hold a visual in my head of these mistakes being washed away.  I can have a clean slate because of what He did for me!

…going back to the wisdom from others.  Not all wisdom needs to be taken as the “only” way.  That is why we have the good news of the Gospel.  We also have learned and trained pastors to help us better understand the wisdom that has been bestowed upon us—through His words.

So if we have good news to share why is there a lack of sharing it?  Could one person  do all the “reaching out”—trying to make a difference?  Of course not.  The problem may be that others don’t have the confidence to share.  More sadly, others may have not found their strength to share.   Sometimes a strength may come about from a weakness made known.   It could be right under their noses, and they not even realize it.

There is an exception to this rule.  The only One that could reach to everyone–did just that for us.  Jesus took it upon Himself to make a difference in our lives, and for our lives, by letting us pin Him to the cross.  In essence, we abused and neglected Christ by standing by, and doing nothing, watching Him suffer.  He gladly did this for us.

There is so much pain and affliction in this world.  I could not even make a dent in the list; but, one very dear, and close to my heart, is that of abuse and neglect. I realize this topic can be very broad with many different types; but, nevertheless…abuse is abuse…no matter how you look at it.

It is also a topic most don’t like to acknowledge because it is dark, and holds many secrets.

Abuse and Neglect can be an act or failure to act on the part of [the one being abused] which could result in serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; sometimes even death.

Lots of people don’t understand abuse; because frankly, unless they have experienced it…they can’t comprehend it. 

The sad thing is that many have been abused, and don’t even know it. I have had people tell me that they have never been abused.  After getting to know them, I may hear them tell a story of an incident that happened to them. In all aspects, it sounds like abuse to me.

There are no criteria, or levels, one experiences in order for it to be known as “abuse”.  It looks different to each individual; however, some abuses are blatant and are definitely noticeable. I would hope others might learn the warning signs, and try to reach out to those that have experienced such things rather than looking upon them as if they were a leper.  This may compound the issue, and break trust within the person needing help.

There are different coping skills for different circumstances.  Finding a healthy coping skill is important for healing to begin.  There are lots of resources; but, it is a matter of being able to utilize some of those resources.

The community of church is a great resource for helping survivors of abuse.  This allows for sharing, praying, and encouraging.  It not only can be a blessing to the one receiving; but, for the one giving.

The problem that arises from this situation is that some, who have been sheltered, may not be as accepting of the brokenness as the one whom it involves.  The one, who is dealing with the pain of the abuse, may feel as though they are being judged.  In most cases, the abused person desires to know that His grace is real, and to be accepted despite their heinous secret—their brokenness.

Trust needs to be made, so that healing may begin.

There are lots of Biblical resources that are accessible to those needing encouragement.  I would hope that His body might utilize some of those resources to help the afflicted.  Sometimes, not knowing what to do, the body may ignore the warning signs rather than aggressively seeking to help  heal the part that is ill. But, these are very rare instances.

Other resources may be groups that have people who have survived particular abuses.  They have the knowledge, and experience, to help with coping skills, give encouragement, and direct further—if further direction is needed.  There are many books, blogs, websites, etc. with a plethora of information.  It could be as easy as a click away to get some of the help needed.

Reading  books about surviving abuse is great; but, having an actual human that will share (or is able to share) their experience of how they found hope and changed their coping skills, is vital to the process of healing.  That is why a need for a “close” community is important. One wouldn’t go to a Chemistry class if British Literature was what was needed to be learned.  The same goes for a group that understands the abused person’s particular needs.

I realize that I [one person] can’t inform the people of the world, nor do I desire this; but, I do desire that we bond together, and gather as a community to inform.  Who knows, we might begin to make a difference in each other’s lives…and maybe that would help us in the community of the people of the world.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” ~Matthew 18:20