I was so mad at Mom and Pop! I wanted to attend my weekly youth group. Instead I was forced to join them to hear some two-bit preacher from the Bahamas named Dr. Myles Munroe. On the surface, I was an angry 14-year-old who wanted to be left alone. Below the surface, I was desperate to know where I belonged and why the heck I was alive. I'm glad I went because I left no longer stuffy, with my eyes red and puffy. I'd never again be cloudy about the course of my life. The Dr. took my vitals and diagnosed me as suffering from no vision. He said the culture was set up ensuring one would not discover his/her God-given purpose, and that s/he who cracks the code would be a "danger" to the planet.
He said,
"I understand Michael Jackson made over $100 million dollars last year. Remember him with the Jackson Five? See him getting down dancing. Man, since five years old, he's been turning that gift. You went to college and got a PhD. He's just turning that gift! You got married and started a family. He's just turning that gift. He made $100 million. What do you have with your PhD?!"My perception changed. I was wet cement and Dr. Munroe gave me gentle guidance I craved, not a second too late. May I share the precepts he taught, and with which I reprogrammed my thinking?
1. If you want to know the purpose of the thing, never ask the thing. Ask the manufacturer.
2. Read the manual.
3. If you don't know the purpose of a thing, you can't help but abuse it. Yet doing so doesn't cancel its purpose.
4. If you don't know who you are, others will tell you (and it won't sound too nice).
5. If you misuse a product, you cannot blame the manufacturer. The manual states that misuse automatically cancels the manufacturer's warranty. You are then responsible for the results.
6. A human is often like a bulldozer in the hands of a five-year-old: full of power but the lack of proper regulation can cause unbelievable destruction.
I was scared straight! From then on, I began seeking God about what hidden and untapped gifts, abilities and talents I had. Little by little this life-long discovery started to unfold . By 15 I knew enough to begin living precisely and on purpose. I'd waste not one second in college. I'd never wonder which classes to take nor ever drop a class since every single one was a direct result of my purpose. I would not be a bulldozer harming myself nor anyone else.
Turning your gift means to stir them up. To do this, you must first know what they are. Second, you must learn about, develop and refine them. Pick one thing and give yourself completely over to it. What's one thing you can do that no one, I mean no one, can beat you at? Think about it day and night. Research it on the Internet and print out at least fifty pages of research on it. Every free second you have, read a page or two. Before you go to sleep, read at least one paragraph so that it's marinating in your spirit as you sleep. When you wake up, feed the desire to know more by reading more. Take a few pages and read it on your lunch break, or while waiting at the appointment.
Study these people:
Michael Jackson - What had to be his mindset as an artist to make a record (Thriller) whose selling record would never be broken? To entertain and inspire love and joy among crowds of all ages, most notably inspiring grown men and women to cry with happiness and excitement at his concerts?
Beyonce Knowles - A single gift of singing led to dancing, modeling, acting, and her own clothing line. It's like everything she touches turns to gold.
Oprah Winfrey - Not even childhood abuse could shut her up. A single ability to speak led her down other roads in her life: newscaster/journalist, talk show host, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist, progenitor of the Angel Network, African Girls Academy, Book Club, O Magazine and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).
Jaime Foxx - I hear he came to California to focus on his music. In the meantime, he worked as a successful comedian and won an Oscar for a dramatic portrayal of Ray Charles.
Jay-Z - From dealing drugs in adolescence, a single ability to rap led to becoming a CEO of an established record label, songwriting, producing, starting a clothing line and heading his record label.
Bill Gates - What college student in the world hasn't used MS Office? What computer owner has never browsed with Internet Explorer? How many children (and men) never heard of xbox 360? Yep, this college dropout had something to do with it. And the Gates Foundation? Millions have received millions from it.
Steve Jobs - Apple/Mac wasn't enough. He wanted you to have the iBook, the iPod, and the iPhone.
TD Jakes - Ever heard of a small-town, country pastor who invested his single gift of speaking to become a bestselling author, playwright, musician, philanthropist, entrepreneur, actor and recording artist?
Watch these movies:
Amelia
Coco Before Chanel
Billy Elliot (Was it an "accidental" discovery?)
Julie and Julia (Look what encouragement from a loved one can do.)
Freedom Writers (What/who do you care about?)
Gridiron Gang (Where will you make a difference?)
Endurance, focus, and commitment was something they all shared.
In his October 2009 interview in the O Magazine, Jay-Z said you'll have success at the intersection of: the gift, the Spirit and the work. Beloved, I encourage you to be brave and see what's inside you. Start by trying your hand at one thing you love. As you take a step in that direction you will receive guidance about further steps to take. You're not in this alone.
Turn, Baby, Turn!
