An element of my previous job in Los Angeles included picking up speakers that would come to APU from the airport (this usually was when people had to get the airport fast, someday when we have more time I'll tell the story of Christine Caine). It so happened that speakers that I picked up I usually become closer with than those that I didn't (except for Fred Stoeker, who even though I picked up, we never became close). One of my favorites was Brennan Manning.

Some of you have probably noticed that I took the last week "off" from writing blogs. Sorry. We all need a break sometime. I was not planning on writing anything, except Jury Duty was too much of an event so I couldn't stay away. But I digress.

As so it happened, I found myself with Brennan before chapel one day. Everything was in order, so we just had a talk on the leather couch up in UTCC. One of the most profound things Brennan Manning shared with me during this conversation was that you can't be good at everything, but that which you are good at, you better be proud of it. I am not even really sure how this got brought up, but I was glad it did.

I think (no one tells me this directly, but I can just "feel" it) that many people I come in contact with think I am conceited & arrogant. I am a very opinionated individual and that which I know I do well, I make sure this is made known in the right context so people can take advantage of what I can offer. Most of the time this is relation to technology, but other things as well. Because ultimately I know that God created all of us uniquely special and if we choose not to make available that which He gave us, we will one day have to answer as to why we chose to do this.

Christians suck at this, and arguably they are probably the most blessed. We think as soon as we start discussing that which we are good at, we are instantly conceited, self-centered, and prideful. We throw in statements like "ohh not me, but God" sometimes to cover for it, but ultimately our entire lives should be dedicated to God, so that statement should be a given. I used to care a lot about whether or not people thought I was conceited and self-centered. In doing so, I would fight the urge to share what I thought. But ever since my conversation with Brennan Manning sophomore year, I decided that I would always be honest about what I am not good about, but I am not going to sit idly by and let my gifts & talents go to waste - and neither should you.