DISCOVER YOUR ‘SPECIAL EXCELLENCE’

Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1 Corinthians 7:7

“What would you call a man in his fifties who, despite many patient attempts at training, could not master the most basic arithmetic? Mathematically deficient? Intellectually challenged? An idiot?

Or should you call him a genius, one of the most talented humans ever to walk on the earth?

You decide. For in this case I am referring to Ludwig van Beethoven, considered by many to be the greatest composer of all time. Even while he was writing his sublime Symphony No. 9, his young nephew was trying daily – without success – to teach his uncle Ludwig basic arithmetic.

How can this be? How can someone compose such complex masterpieces as the Beethoven symphonies and yet be at such a complete loss in simple mathematics? The answer lies in the above Scripture from 1 Corinthians. It is true that God gives everyone gifts. It is not true that God gives everyone every gift.

Beethoven was give tremendous talent in music. Yet he was not given much in the way of arithmetic skills. It was as if that specific chip was left out of his computer when he was being assembled. Indeed, may other chips were also left out. He was, for instance, exceedingly slovenly. The master once dryly commented about himself, “Beethoven can compose, thank God, but he can do nothing else.”

Beethoven’s case is not as unique as you may think. In all of history, it is rare to find a true “Renaissance man.” That is, God seldom creates a man or woman like Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci – one who seems to possess a great quantity of different talents. And even in these unique cases, some talents are lacking.

…Many famous and talented people can hardly change a lightbulb. Some soldiers who have shown superhuman courage in battle blanch at the thought of standing in front of a church congregation. Some athletes say they cannot draw a straight line with a ruler. This is not a new revelation. The ancient Greek playwright Euripides pointed out: “The same man cannot be skilled in everything; each has his special excellence.”