The Plumbline

Life Hack #5: Skill is the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, and aptitude, to do something well - even to the point of excelling at whatever it is you are called to do. There is a sense of confidence as the tasks are performed - ability revealed in complete dexterity to perform the functions required. Skill might be a learned thing - but it could be an innate aptitude to "just do it" - their aptitude revealing their ability consistently. You've heard it said, "maybe they are born with it", but some have to work quite hard to develop the same level of skill that the individual with "innate aptitude" just seems to slip right into. The skilled worker is in high demand - because they can be counted on to perform at a consistent level of "output". As scripture puts it, "they will serve before kings" - because the best of talent rises to the top, doesn't it? Observe people who are good at their work—skilled worke...

Invest what you have, because after a while you will get a return. (Ecclesiastes 11:1) I have frequently heard people say they have nothing to give - nothing to bring into a circumstance that THEY feel will be of any value. Instead of giving what they have and allowing God to INCREASE the value of what they bring, they just stand idly by. If we want to ever see an increase of what we have been given, we must invest it.  As a young adult, raising wee kiddos, my financial circumstances were not the best. I had a hard time making ends meet from time to time, but never went without. I trusted God to bring the increase, but I invested what I could into the process. What I had was my two hands, a strong back, and a will to work. That is what I could invest. It might have meant long hours of picking weeds for $3/hour at times and rising way before dawn to deliver papers in the dark of night, but we never went without. There are times we feel what we have won't really matter - it isn't...