Talent will take you to places where anointing isn't permitted.
Anointing will take you places talent isn't needed.
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I don't know who wrote the above quote, but it caught my attention. The past few days my mind has been in a whirl about PK's. I think I could write a different account every day for a month about PK's, but I think I will give you a break. As a singer I think talent is very important and should be developed to one's best ability but, there are times the anointing takes over. When that happens, your talent reaches places it hasn't been before. I have also been in places where the talent was great but lacked something. Was it the anointing? Give me your thoughts about the above quote.
So True. I remember one time at a General Conference when a young singer was singing. They were extremely talented with a voice that was really unbelievable. However, that "something" was missing. No one worshiped or praised during that song. Immediately when they were finished, the next person to sing was Sis. Vesta Mangun and oh my could you feel the difference. Sis. Mangun has a good voice but it didn't compare to the person before her. However, the anointing that came into that conference hall was astounding. People were on their feet, hands raised, tears streaming as people worshiped God while she sang. I was only a young person at that time but I will never forget the obvious...talent can only take you so far. The anointing is what makes all the difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your quote that was posted here! Really good...however, I think annointing is able to flow when there is also talent. Let me clarify....maybe not talent, but the musician/singer needs to be skilled, like David was. I don't think the annointing can flow if there's no preparation involved. It's hard to let the tears flow and feel a deep move of God if you hear clashing notes from singers who are off-key, a pianist who can't keep rhythm, etc. It's so distracting you just feel irritated and want to cover your ears. Know what I mean? Our music leader is so awesome, and he stresses preparation and practice like you wouldn't believe. But I love it, because we practice so much that I don't have to think about the words, or movement of the notes, I can totally focus on worship because I've practiced so much...and yet it still sounds very skilled and technical during song service. I agree though, I've seen extremely tight bands and singers that are out of this world...and the audience/congregation wasn't moving a muscle because there wasn't a drop of annointing. Annointing is way more important! I want to be a willing vessel always, for God to move through me as a musician and singer. I want to practice and reach towards perfection, yet seek His spirit to guide me. Music is such a powerful and fascinating mode of expression and worship!
ReplyDeleteI have told young people and in training young ministers that when you sing, preach or play you need to have the annointing on you. The annointing only comes from prayer, fasting and living "Christ like". Yes you can sing great and go chasing after awards that the world gives but annointing is not really wanted or appreciated there. But when you use your talents for God and you start singing, playing the song or preaching about the Cross or Heaven from your heart. The annointing will come upon you and the church will feel it. People want the annointing . They can turn the radio on and hear a song. But they want the annointing of God to touch them. That annointing comes from a Spirit filled and committed life to God. Then if you miss a note it is Ok because the pepole still get the message and the Spirit. Many times I have told musicians and singers they lead us into the throne room in worshipping God. Once the church responds and are in the throne room it is OK to leave the mic' or instrument and be overwhelmed with worship as well. Too many times they hang on to sing or play and when it is over they had not taken the time just to worship God.
ReplyDeleteI see a couple of issues here. The author of the quote is trying to pretend talent and anointing are opposites. He/she suggests that talent is secular, but anointing is holy. Nonsense.
ReplyDeleteLet me apply this poetry, which is what I know. Talent will get you a good rough draft. But a great poem has more. Okay. But does anointing mean that a lesser talent will write a superior poem? That depend on what you mean by “a superior poem.” Is a poem written by a person with a Christian point of view superior?
And we encounter the problem of the word “anointing.” The term is used freely by those with a Pentecostal bent. Pentecostals (and charismatic Christians) know what this term means. To me this is problematic, because without saying so it implies a superiority in worship that just doesn’t exist.
I doubt Aretha Franklin, who surely possesses talent, uses the term “anointing.” Baptists don’t. No, in describing Franklin, we use words like “soul.” But some have suggested that Franklin was at her best when she “returned to the church.” Other say she never left.
Talent alone will get you only so far. But I think “anointing” is a poor word choice to determine, not the opposite of talent, but that unknown that takes you beyond craft, beyond art, to a place where we meet God in art.
The author of this quote suggests (but does not say) that anointing is a “gift.” Is it?
Talented singing most often only touches the ears of man, while anointed singing touches the soul. However, I enjoy and am blessed by recordings of trained, talented voices - but in church, an anointing must be added to make the difference and produce the blessings for the soul.
ReplyDeleteRonda - I don't think I was at that particular conference, but I have been in meetings where similar things happened. The anointing makes all the difference.
ReplyDeleteJanell - Let me first say, the quote did not eliminate talent but rather stated anointing can take one to a place talent isn't needed. I believe one should be prepared, practiced, and have their material memorized. We ask all our singers to have their songs memorized. Yet, let me present argument. Sometimes a church can get so professional that people are more amazed by the talent rather than the anointing. Case in point - I was at a large church and the choir entered singing a beautiful anthem. The talent was so amazing everyone was brought to their feet but I did not feel the power of the anointing. Talent can almost copy anointing, but not quite. On the other hand, we have a few senior citizens that enjoy singing and we occasionally put them on our calendar. Last night, a senior women was on the schedule. She brought her words to the pulpit, couldn't see good enough and missed some words, her voice is not professional, but the anointing was on her and took her to a place talent wasn't needed. She sang with so much power I know she would have been gasping for air if not for the anointing. The power of God fell in our service, people danced, shouted, and it was amazing. No, people who are looking for perfection wouldn't have liked it, but those who come to service for the purpose of worship rather than a display of talent were blessed.
ReplyDeleteAs for me - Even after singing for more than 45 years, I still rehearse, seek coaching, and work towards good performance, but there are times when I feel the anointing flood over me. It is indescribable! The song that was already practiced to perfection suddenly had extra notes that had never been attained, entered a new dimension, and went to a place talent isn't needed. It is an amazing feeling.
Kevin - thanks for your comment. I agree with you 100%. I believe in talent and my children have participated in many talent shows but there is something different when you enter into the presence of God. My oldest son was in a national singing competition and the anointing fell on him. The judges loved his performance, said they "felt" it, but they had no clue as to what the anointing is all about. I have tried to explain to my children what the anointing is all about. You cannot make the anointing fall on you but if, as you stated, pray, fast, live Christ-like, and then put your entire being into your song, it is almost guaranteed the anointing will be there. Kevin, thanks for adding your thoughts. Your comment was great.
ReplyDeleteHelen - thanks for your comment. I don't think the author was placing talent and anointing in separate boxes because they can certainly work hand in hand. However, in certain arenas, talent is all that is permitted. If the anointing were to fall, it would be misunderstood.
ReplyDeleteNow, I believe that the anointing can fall on non-believers. I also believe an unlearned person can write a masterpiece if the anointing fell on them. We have had a couple people come to our church and could not read. They prayed, opened a Bible, and the anointing opened their understanding and they began to read. It was nothing short of amazing and miraculous.
Anointing is not superior. Superior would be euphoric but anointing is supernatural, divine. I don't think it is a gift but rather a meeting of humanity and divinity.
As for Aretha - maybe she hasn't used the word anointing, but some of her performances were anointed. I kind of have a feeling that Aretha has used the word anointing and knows exactly what it feels like.
Karen - perfectly stated. Some people sing soulfully and you don't feel the anointing, but when the anointing is there, it touches the soul.
ReplyDeleteI think we're on the same page, Jana. I just don't like the quote. I think it's unclear as to what really happens.
ReplyDeleteJana, great quote. I've heard it before, but I think it bring everything back into that perfect balance of us doing all we can, then God steps on the scene and does what we can't.
ReplyDeleteTalent...meaning the human element. Anointing...meaning the God element. I'd say that qualifies for "superiority", but nothing any of us can boast about. It's the difference between the prophets of Baal and Elijah. Elijah's God rained down fire.
ReplyDeleteAnointing should not be confused with being able to manipulate and connect with an audience. It goes deeper than that. "It is the anointing that destroys the yoke." There's nothing wrong with using that word, and we should never think otherwise.
Talent and Anointing do not have to compete. But it's true that a singer without much talent can get people closer to God than a singer with talent but not much anointing.
No need for semantics here. Just make it plain and simple.
I like the quote. Thanks for sharing.
James - welcome to my blog. I did make it plain and simple. Sorry you didn't think so. God is always superior but my talent is never superior to the anointing. Furthermore, combining talent and anointing does not make one superior. True Christians should never put on an air of superiority regardless of talent, status, anointing, etc. We should always take the humble road and be thankful any time the anointing chooses to land upon us.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote. I love talent. . .but there is nothing like the anointing!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - so true. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteJana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the welcome! You always have interesting topics so I try to stop by when I can.
I want to clarify when I wrote the following: "...I'd say that qualifies for "superiority", but nothing any of us can boast about.."
I honestly believe that. When God is on our side, when His favor is with us, that's a pretty "superior" thing. However, knowing that it's God's and not ours is humbling. We can't use it for us. I am in complete agreement with you about pompous arrogance...it's an incense and aroma that certainly isn't worship. At the same time, there is a strange confidence that comes when the anointing empowers us. It's not OUR confidence (that would be cocky arrogance), but it's Godly confidence....and again, HE is superior...not me.
I bet some today would have thought Elijah to be cocky and proud. But really, he was a humble, poor prophet who had a child-like trust in God, his "super hero",if you will.
I wanted to make sure I clearly articulated what I was saying about that! You and I agree on this subject.
God bless you!