Use Your Talent

“And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability...” Matt 25:15

Trey Wood was born with only one arm. Most people assumed that his handicap would prevent him from participating in a sport like football. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Trey decided to prove the experts wrong. Not only did he learn to play football, he received an athletic scholarship to Sam Houston State University. He went beyond expectations and earned a starting position as a defensive back. One of his responsibilities was to knock down passes when the football was thrown in his area.

Another one-armed young man, Dawuan Miller, also had a dream to play football. In spite of his disability, he, too, earned a scholarship and became the starting defensive back for Boise State University.

Both players made first team. Both excelled at their positions. Despite lacking an arm, Wood broke the career record for Sam Houston State with eleven blocked kicks. Dawuan silenced the doubters by using his one arm to intercept two passes in playoff games.

One September 16, 1995 Sam Houston State played Boise State in football. For the first time in the history of the sport, two colleges played a game with one-armed defensive backs starting for each team. Few will remember the score of the game, but no one who was there will forget how two one-armed players’ gusty performances overshadowed the rest of the talent on the field.

Each of these two football players did more with one arm than most people do with two. When one-talent people apply themselves, they can accomplish incredible feats. You can do amazing things with just one talent, if you will dare to believe it.

What is the talent that God has given you?
And more importantly, what are you doing with it?