The painting hung on the wall of her modest home for 15 years.  Rosemary Cattrell, an Edinburgh art teacher, having no idea of its real value, decided to sell the painting for $50 to raise money for a deposit on a car.  Not until then did she discover the treasure of a masterpiece, painted by the 16th-century German artist, Hans Baldung. It sold at auction for $537,000.

This could relate to us personally.  Few comprehend the truth – we are originals.  Somewhere within is a Divine signature, “made in God’s image.”

Every living human has a streak of genius, a prized giftedness.  Millions never discover theirs, where others strike on it early, tending and nurturing the gift through using it.  Like a mustard seed—the smallest of small—our gifts grow into “yielding trees.”

Some are so fortunate as to have more than one gift.  Certainly, all are given for enrichment—like the arts, for the soothing of hearts.  Yet, there is beauty in any job well done: butcher, baker and banker—pastor, plumber, and planner.  A complete list would run the gamut from cookery to healing hands.

Even so a mere smile from a child, such as our granddaughter, now 33 years old, who has Downs Syndrome can greatly make a difference in a person’s day.  Her smile is miraculous and it can change the atmosphere of a room. It grabs me; my seriousness takes leave. Without the ability to speak, she can bring a message. She brings joy to one’s soul. It is strangely profound, the power this little person holds.

The rest of us have so much! How fortunate we are once our specific “genius” is found and we serve contentedly, enjoying who we are.  The other option would be to envy the talents of others, without expending the effort needed to find our own. We become discontented by discounting ourselves.

Or, another blight can become our plight is fantasies of self-importance creating full-blown conceit. The appetite for power and recognition soon catches us in a crafty trap of self-centeredness. This finds us telling others how to live their lives . . .  working hard to make carbon copies, using ourselves as perfect models.

But Father God surely has something much better in mind. Is He not calling us to put to use our mental acumen? Hiding not one’s personality, yet letting it shine with the light of the Divine. We can develop our streak of genius, whatever it is, with a worthy goal in mind: To love and serve for all we’re worth. In this, we are the good-givings of God.

Doing this, will see us entering into joyous companionship with our Father and our fellows. Anything less is vanity. We all know it wasn’t the first taste of apple juice that got “man” in trouble. No, it was an egocentric, prideful attitude signifying, “God isn’t relevant. I’ll do it my way.”

Now, we meet a seeming contradiction. By relinquishing all concern for self-elevation, and instead letting God have His way through us, His influence and essence appears naturally. Without seeking—here it comes . . . through us.

Yes, really believing with our whole being that we are originals, made by God, will allow the presence of Christ to be “showcased” in us while we hardly realize it. For all our energies, physical and mental, will be unfolding through our giftedness . . . flowing in love toward the betterment of others, known and unknown. Our joy comes through so great a privilege as to be used by Him. Consequently, we are blessed and exceedingly nourished in our spirits.

The key is two-fold: 1) staying vitally linked with our Father/Creator, fixing our “eyes” on Him; and 2) letting our hearts be perpetually brushed by love—love of Him and love of others. The mind, then, is not focused on self.

Clearly, walking this kind of life means we’ll learn first to be humble. Humble enough not to grumble in the midst of trouble, but rather to rejoice in the midst of it. This brings great freedom. Bitterness, resentment, forgiveness, envy and self-pity are bondages. These were never intended for us. Rather, the intention (sans disobedience) is freedom to be all we can be to the glory of God. So, why “sell” ourselves short?

God’s gifts are many. When he sees us savoring all He has given to us—including the beauty all about us in nature and in our relationships, it is our essence that shines. He loves us being who we are, basking in the knowledge that we are loved.

Gos’s words are clear, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you,” (Jeremiah 31:3).