In the movie, Drum Line, Devon graduates high school and plays a departing song with the other seniors from the marching band. He busts out a funky drum lick that his director waves off. Devon makes eye contact with the rest of the drumline, and they all join in creating serious drumming that gets the crowd hype. This movie shows us that in order to be a blessing in life, our attitude must be like Christ, in that we have to use what we have to glorify our Father in Heaven. We have to put aside personal pleasures and do what’s right for the glory of God and the entire ministry. We have to realize that God wants us to use what he gave us to point others to Him. Unfortunately, society, our past, and sometimes our fear of failure are the reasons we don’t use our gifts for what God intended.

Some of us tend to bury of gifts by trying to fit in, and this causes us to forget what God has given us. A few of us are trying to be something that we’re not, and this causes us to lose our identity. A couple of us are trying to do something we were not called to do, and this will keep us from our purpose. Gifts are too important for us to throw away, even if we may have failed in the past. Unfortunately, many youth and young adults have a tendency not to do things with their gifts because of previous experiences or excuses.

Be honest with yourself and see if you fit in one of these categories: Since nobody in my family ever did something like that, I’m not going to be the first one. Since nobody in my church ever does anything like that, I’ll wait for someone else to start it. Or, since nobody in my crew would understand why I do what I do on Sundays, I’ll just stop doing it until it gets popular. Young people, I want you to understand that even if you’re the only one with that gift, you have to use it. And guess what, besides waiting for someone to believe in you, you have to first believe in yourself. Don’t get caught up like so many other teens and bury your gift because of self-doubt. Don’t be afraid to step out on faith and trust God to lead you. Don’t be afraid of what it may cost you to use your gift because hard work, dedication, and maintaining success now, will help you even more as an adult. Don’t be afraid of the consequences and have a fear of failure. Remember, God didn’t give any of us a spirit of fear.

When you feel afraid to use your gifts in the future, remember this. In Drumline, Devon was finally able to get his life together when he paid attention to the gift his father game him—the tapes. His father gave him something he could use that ultimately turned into a bigger blessing than he could have ever imagined. The gift didn’t just bless Devon, it blessed the whole band!

Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. – Matthew 25:24-25. (NIV)