Kids Bible Devotional for September 5, 2024
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Focus Verse
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. (KJV)
Jump Start
"Heart is what separates the good from the great.” Michael Jordan.
Are people born with talent, or is it learned? That is a question that many scientists have tried to answer with mixed opinions. While one’s environment and financial situation certainly have a hand in one’s starting point, one’s passion and willingness to learn cannot be ignored. It takes dedication and courage to try, fail, and try again. Or, as the earlier quote from Michael Jordan suggests, it takes heart to go from good to great.
When you find that one thing in which you feel most alive, where you lose track of time, you are just beginning to tap into your own uniqueness. God has designed you to be unique and to serve a purpose for the Kingdom of God. You may feel most alive with art, music, storytelling, woodworking, sports, cooking, math, history, scientific discovery…the list goes on. There is no one, nor will there ever be, anyone who is quite like you. Be willing to try, fail, and try again to unlock your God-given gifts and callings.
Today’s story is about two kids who have similar talents, but one invested more into developing her gift. Let’s just say she had more heart than our other character.
Today's Devotion
The Day Before the Audition
“I don’t hear the violin, Andrew. Why aren’t your practicing?” Andrew’s mother called out from the hallway.
Andrew’s thumbs jabbed the wireless game controller. “I’m about to get started,” he called back. Moments later, his mother walked wordlessly into his room and shut off the monitor to his gaming system.
Andrew looked on in shock. “Hey, what are you doing? I was just about to level up.”
“I don’t care. You need to level up your practice time. You have an audition tomorrow for the Vienna performance and you’ve hardly touched your violin all week.”
Andrew tossed the controller aside. “I don’t know what the big deal is, Mom. I got the song down weeks ago. I’m a music prodigy, remember. Besides, who’s going to beat me? Martha Tidwell? Puh-leeze,” he scoffed.
Meanwhile, across town…
Martha’s mother clapped. “That was wonderful! But so were the other four times.”
Martha flipped the music sheets back to the beginning of the piece. “I don’t know. I think the vibrato sounded flat in the second movement.” She brought the violin to her shoulder and rested the bow on the strings. “Just one more time.”
Her mother rose to her feet. “Honey, I think you did just fine. Don’t stress yourself out.”
“Andrew is better. Music comes naturally to him. I have to practice and practice to get it right. I really want to perform in Vienna this summer.” She ran the bow across the strings. “Just one more time.”
The Day of the Audition
Martha skipped out of the audition hall. “I got it! I got the part! I’m going to Vienna!” She grabbed her father around the neck, and he spun her around.
“I’m so proud of you, Princess,” he said. “Your mother and I were praying you’d do your best.”
Her mother stood proudly beside her. She covered her mouth, crying and laughing at the same time.
Martha handed a folder to her mother. “This is all the information about the Vienna trip. I’m supposed to be back here next week to begin practice with the other qualifiers.”
Just then, Andrew came out of the auditorium with his mom, his head bowed. Martha’s smile slipped from her face. She walked over to him and held out her hand. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the part, Andrew. No hard feelings?”
Andrew shook her hand and forced a smile. “Thanks, Martha. No hard feelings. I have to admit, your performance was incredible. You deserve to go to Vienna.” He looked up at his mother. “And I need to practice more.”
Wrap Up
In our scripture reading, Solomon reminded us about the hard work of the ant. God wants us to be productive. Talent alone will only get us so far. We must put in the effort and trust God to take us to the next level in whatever our aspirations are.
Big dreams require big sacrifices. But if God is in it, and so is your heart, there is no telling where your dreams will take you. Stay humble, give God the glory, and work hard, little ant.
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