Untrained Talent

Saturday, May 27, 2017
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Wonderful Peace"1 (Lyrics)

It was early in my life that I was asked to sing solos in school and community gatherings in Finland. Before World War II, it was intended that I continue to have singing lessons from an opera singer who spent her summers in our village. Instead, the war sent us on the road as evacuees.

My singing continued untrained from grade six to adulthood. It has been a joy to sing and ask the Lord to use my untrained voice for His glory.

When I am told that I should have taken singing lessons, I smile and say, "We will never know what the world has missed!"

There was a time when I composed my own songs, and with the help of my oldest son, Seppo, so gifted in music, I was able to write them down. Together, we were even able to give mini-concerts. For half of an hour-and-a-half concert, my son played music from the 60s to the 80s, and then, it was my turn to sing for the rest of the time.

Our musical endeavours had a short life, but my son had recorded all of my songs. Later, he picked up the hobby of putting his music on YouTube. I like many of the pieces that he plays on his guitar. His taste is quite different from mine, so I was completely surprised to find my songs mixed in among his on his channel.

Over the years, my songs in Finnish have had hundreds of listeners, and one over 2,500. The songs are deeply spiritual, and I am thankful for each listener. I am praying that my songs will make a difference, changing the listening ear to attune to God and the joy of forgiveness and the love of Jesus. I pray that the songs will bring healing through the kindness of the Lord, filling one soul at a time with the Holy Spirit, and healing wounded souls with God's restoring grace in their trials. My prayer is that even one will be blessed eternally with heavenly joy, and be carried to be with Jesus from all toil and sorrow and tears.

Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (NKJV)

Like Peter and John, I would never have believed that God could use my untrained voice. Before Peter and John were hauled up before the Sanhedrin, they probably had no idea that God would be able to fill them with His Spirit in such a way that as untrained men, they would be able to impress the elders and teachers of the law with their boldness.

Likewise, each one of us has some untrained talent that God can use for His glory. Never underestimate what God can do with the little we have, when we dedicate it unreservedly for God's purposes.

Prayer: Holy God, thank You for alerting us from time to time about how we can trust You more. We confess that we consistently miscalculate the value to Your kingdom of the "little" talents that You have entrusted us with. Open our eyes and ears to see and hear opportunities to be of benefit to You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen!

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About the author:

Kirsti Sipila <kirstiksipila@hotmail.com>
Brantford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen Kirsti, may it be so.
    Blessings.


    Kirsti, thank you for sharing such a lovely piece of music. You sing it beautifully, indeed a gift from God.


    Hi Kirsti
    Yes, it is truly amazing what God is able to do with untrained voices and untrained writers!


    Thank you Kirsti – you certainly always demonstrate that you seek those opportunities and are blessed to see how He works through you and share this with all your readers, reminding us how we too can be of service to Him.


    Enjoyed your message today. I also play the piano in nursing homes and day away centres. We are blest to have 3 organist, so we take turns, which is nice to have different music. Keep up the good work and thanks for all your messages.


    Hi Kirsti,
    Thank you for your devotional today. We all have “hidden” talents and it is indeed amazing how some of us develop as we mature or age. As the day Pentecost nears we know that the Holy Spirit helps us in all we do for the Kingdom of God
    Always enjoy your writings.
    Blessings.


    Good Morning!
    Today’s devotion sent me off to “Youtube” to search out Kirsti Sipila, and what a beautiful voice indeed! God did indeed bless you with the voice of an angel. Thank you for sharing this talent with the world!
    It is always interesting to learn something about the faithful writers of one of my favourite devotions, and today was a special intimate part of your family. Keep on singing, and writing!
    (ON)


    Thanks for sharing your story.
    I too have a good but untrained voice.
    One of my challenges just now is that because of arthritis I have trouble standing so taking part in choirs as I have done all my life is just not possible.
    I can still do solos though.
    I am asking the Lord on a regular basis how he wants to use my voice as it remains good and since he has allowed that he must have some purpose in mind.


    Good message Kirsti. God bless.


    Thank you, Kirsti, for sharing your devotional with us. I can identify with your experience since I’ve also been asked to sing for the Lord with my untrained and now aging voice. To God be the glory. Blessings.


    Dear Kirsti,
    Thank you so much for the devotional that comes so close to my heart.
    I am praying that my songs will make a difference, changing the listening ear to attune to God and the joy of forgiveness and the love of Jesus. I pray that the songs will bring healing through the kindness of the Lord, filling one soul at a time with the Holy Spirit, and healing wounded souls with God’s restoring grace in their trials.
    I am praying this with you.
    For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
    Keep writing,

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