No Insignificant Talents

My older brother got a magic kit when I was seven. He was totally disinterested in it, but I wasn’t. I was the youngest of four kids, and suddenly I’d found something I could do that other family members couldn’t. I was intrigued, but I’m an open-book kind of guy. The secrecy, deception, and illusion of magic quickly frustrated me, and when other magicians wouldn’t share their secrets, I lost interest. Then I discovered juggling, and it fit my personality better.

I practiced and practiced. At the age of 23, I travelled by train across Europe, setting up my show on various street corners. By the time I returned to America, I had mastered my craft and was invited to perform on national television, movie sets, and even at the White House and the Pentagon.

Around 1990, the Guinness Book of World Records wanted to establish a heavyweight juggling record. I appeared on an international show called Record Breakers (BBC) that aired across Europe and Asia. Millions of viewers watched as I earned the title of World’s Strongest Juggler by juggling three 16-pound bowling balls for 62 catches.

That title opened many doors to perform with amazing celebrities, but the most remarkable place I’ve performed is prison. To date, through Inmate Encounter and Bill Glass Ministries, I’ve performed in over 300 prisons.

What a privilege and honor it is to use my talents to bring joy, laughter, and hope to a place where little of that exists. My juggling and comedy act builds a bridge to the hearts of inmates that allows me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the only One who can bring lasting joy!

Everyone has talent of some sort. I happen to be good at juggling and telling a few good jokes, and God’s given me a ministry through that. I use my platform to encourage others to use whatever talent they have for God’s glory, too. When they do, their lives are fulfilled and others’ lives are changed.

I was preparing to speak to inmates on death row awhile back, but what I usually say just didn’t seem to fit the occasion. “God, these guys are on death row. They are locked away until the day they die. What kind of message can I take to them?” But I felt God urging me to share the same message I would with any other audience.

At the end of my performance, an inmate named Michael approached me and said, “I’ve been on death row for 23 years. I never imagined someone like you would come and perform for us.” He went on to tell me about his talent for drawing and then showed me various cartoons he had drawn while incarcerated.

“I even have one of you,” he said. Then he showed me a cartoon that he had drawn years earlier, of a man dressed in fishing gear, walking through a prison chapel. Amazingly, I had just performed a skit based on John 21:1–14, where Peter and the other disciples had caught a boatload of fish simply because they were willing to do things Jesus’ way. My skit was complete with a fishing net and large plastic fish that I juggled high in the air.

This man had not met me before that day, and his drawing directly ministered to my heart. It was if God were saying to me that He’d known I’d be performing for that man years before I even came.

“Do you think God can use my talent too?” Michael asked. I told him his cartoons could indeed impact others for God’s kingdom—they had already encouraged me! He gave me his sketches and asked me to help his artwork see the light of day. This guy has since paid his debt to society and has been put to death for his crime. How thankful I am that, through this magazine, his cartoon will minister to thousands on both sides of prison walls.

What are your talents? Is it juggling, telling a joke, playing a sport, drawing, singing, carpentry, cooking, mechanics, developing business strategies? It could be anything, but whatever it is, use it for God’s glory. I don’t know where He has you right now or who you come in contact with, but I know this: God can use your talent to touch the world. Whether He’s given you a talent for the spotlight or one that works behind the scenes, there is no such thing as an insignificant talent in the hands of God. Even a smile can change someone’s life!

So do whatever it is you love to do. Share your gift with others. You have to realize; your talents aren’t for you. It’s for someone who needs a touch, a lift, or a laugh. It’s for someone who needs a helping hand or an encouraging word. God can use your gift to build a bridge to the heart of another person, so He can heal their heart.

Even if your talents seem insignificant to you, don’t look down on it or wish you had someone else’s talents. Celebrate your talents; practice and develop it. That’s your part. Then give your talents to God and watch what He can do.

Written by Bob Whitcomb

Photo by Christopher Burns

From The Father

There is a battle for your life, My child. Satan desires to have you. Many times he has sent people and circumstances to cause confusion and shame, anger and fear. He wants you to hate yourself, to hate others, and to follow after the lust of the flesh. His greatest desire is that you feel you are not enough. But you are! In Me you are more than enough, and you have all you need.

From The Father

My child, I will put you in a place of honor. I will make your name great. You will not have to strive and make things happen. Let go of fear and pride. Trust Me. As you rest in Me and surrender your fears, hurts, and life to Me, you will be amazed. You will find peace, purpose, and worth… the very things you have been searching for your whole life.

From The Father

It’s time to get in My Word and learn who you are in Me, My child. Satan has caused you to question who I am and who you are in Me. That has brought you to a place of conflict and confusion. I will make you victorious as you set your eyes and heart on Me. I will open up the floodgates of Heaven right where you are.

From The Father

My child, be not afraid or dismayed of the looks of people. Don’t worry about what people think. Live for Me. I am the One who will fulfill your every desire and give you more than you could ever hope for or imagine. I am the One who will never fail, forsake, or abandon you. I am the Giver of life and the Giver of all good things. Seek Me.

From The Father

My Precious Child, My plans for you and your loved ones are always for good. You can trust them, and you can trust Me. I know life is hard, and I know it hurts. I understand how you feel. Like you, I have felt the betrayal of people as they rejected, mocked, and ignored Me. I have felt the pain of losing loved ones; I have wept. I have felt the physical pain of hunger. I have been tempted and lied to by the enemy. I was beaten and then nailed to a cross to die. So you can trust Me, child, when I say, I know your pain. But there is hope. When you are with Me, nothing can overtake you. I have given you My strength to overcome every trial—and My strength never runs out. My wisdom never runs out, either. And neither will My provision. Ever. Draw close now, and hold tight to Me. I am with you always. Remember, nothing is impossible for Me! Don’t look at your circumstances; look at Me. I am all you need. My grace is sufficient for you. It provides all the peace, power, and provision you need to emerge victoriously from your trial. My love and divine presence will always be more than enough.

From The Father

Trust Me with the circumstances of your life. I know they seem overwhelming. But always remember, you are not alone. The great I AM is with you, helping you, and able to do abundantly more than you can hope for or imagine. So don’t give up and don’t give in. I know you have so many questions. I know you don’t understand the why behind what you are experiencing. But that’s okay. You don’t have to have the answers to every one of life’s questions to move forward. All you need is Me; I AM the answer. And as you acknowledge Me and bring me into your circumstances, I will direct your path. My love will carry you. My wisdom will show you the way. My power will provide the strength to move forward, even in the darkest night. I AM working behind the scenes, working everything out for good and for My glory. I will not fail you. Trust Me, child…even now.

Lives Transformed True You

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

From The Father

Would you like to donate to the ministry? Every dollar you give sends a magazine into prison

Lives Transformed

True You