A couple of weeks ago the Thomasville Rotary Club organized a job shadow day for local students. Students from the area high schools and the community college had the opportunity to shadow a professional from our community for a couple of hours in the morning. Then the professional took the students to a lunch at the Thomasville Women’s Club where there was a Rotary meeting. It was an outstanding opportunity.

            We had five students from East Davidson participate in the program this year. Our students were exposed to health careers, automotive sales & service, veterinarian science, and the tourism industry. Each student had a great experience. Naturally, we all enjoyed a great lunch at the Women’s Club.

            After the lunch we were treated to a guest speaker, who tailored her speech to the students. She drew insights from three movies to offer listeners ways to focus on their future. She told us that regrets from the past could keep us from the bright future that was waiting for us. Our past does not have to define our future, she declared, because God is doing a new thing. I believe God likes taking broken people and creating something new because it gives a wonderful testimony to what He can do in our lives.

            One key thought that burned in my ears was that God wants us to perfect our crafts. I taught the children at church on Sunday and the lesson was the story of the talents. I realize the story is about money, but I have often thought that Jesus could just as easily been talking about our skills and abilities. God wants us to grow and perfect the talents He has given us. In my case, He wants me to continue to hone my writing skills, to become the best writer that I can be. I think that is a good message not only for high school students, but for people of all ages.

            The speaker ended her speech by pointing to a picture that grabbed my attention. She showed us a picture of a painter who is looking at an egg but painting an eagle. I love eagles and I am an East Davidson Golden Eagle. While the painter saw the egg, He also saw the potential hidden within the egg. I believe we all have plenty of hidden potential. We have talents and skills that are gifts from God that we are expected to birth and grow in our lifetime. We each have the ability to soar with the eagles, but sadly, some choose not to develop their God given gifts.

            I firmly believe that God hides in each of us unique abilities that He needs for His kingdom. You have the unique ability to be the perfect expression of part of the character of God, if only you will spend time with the Creator and allow Him to unpack and help you develop those gifts. You may not start out as a superstar, but if you will work hard and follow His leading I believe you will soar.