You were born with special abilities. Every person has been created with a unique kind of genius, and I’m not referring to IQ. By genius I’m talking about something given to you at birth, unique capabilities meant for the betterment of others. You may recognize it as that thing you do that makes you feel alive. It’s something you recognize in you as having come from above, and it can be brought forth. But it might take some effort.
The word “genius” comes from an ancient Roman concept that an individual’s abilities or powers are manifested by a transcendent source working in the person to enable him or her to exceed what is ordinary or mortal. We would call this source God. By God’s incredible power at operation in a person he or she becomes extraordinary or immortal—a genius. And the idea is not limited to individuals. Groups can also know and experience the otherworldly at work in the collective to do the amazing—to be genius.
The ancient Egyptians had a similar concept. Something they called the “Ka”—a power that descended from above onto a person. The person responded by raising his hands to the heavens, arms bent at ninety degrees, to receive the power.
Whether it’s Egyptians or Romans, the idea that humans possess special abilities granted to them by divine sources is nothing new. John Pilkey has said, “The power to transcend human personality is as basic to human experience as the image of the rising sun” (The Origin of the Nations, page 232). The transcendent has occurred in people in the past and it’s happening in people today.
A genius is anyone who has the good fortune to see his or her unique capabilities put to work to accomplish the extraordinary. As Pilkey would put it, “The works of ‘genius’ invariably result in ‘legend’ or mythology, memories of high achievement which stand out above the ordinary” (232). Some of us have had the opportunity to experience such genius in ourselves. And some people have not had that chance yet, and they long for it—even ache for it. Your day is coming.
The power to transcend human personality is as basic to human experience as the image of the rising sun. Our popular English use of the word ‘genius’ shows the result. A ‘genius’ is anyone who has the good fortune to get involved in a task which draws him beyond the limitations of private consciousness.
space —John Pilkey | Author | Origin of the Nations
How do you know what your unique genius is? Well, there’s no easy answer. It’s a process of discovery—sometimes a long an arduous journey. But we can take a few small steps by looking inside ourselves, and asking a few questions: What do you love to do? What do you do that makes you feel alive? What would you say is your passion? And you could say nothing. Perhaps it feels that way sometimes (or all the time). But there is something. It’s true of everyone—including you, especially you. You have been made and created with special abilities. It’s your origin.
There is one more question to ask yourself, and this is perhaps the most important one. It reveals the heart God has given for the people or problems or wrongs in the fallen world. And the question is this: What do you see wrong in this world, and you think to yourself: I really want to be a part of the solution? God has given you a longing to be used by him to address something that ails this world. He has given you a longing to be a part of the solution.
Sadly, for many people, their hidden gifts and who they are has been suppressed. Many jobs or families, and most institutions or organizations, including the Church, have a tendency to crush people’s spirits. The daily grind or our undesirable positions may have us despairing of anything better or meaningful. You may have been trampled down but your gifting is still present, hidden and waiting to be released. But it may take some searching.
The full manifestation of your abilities is you destiny. Power from on high, God himself, has foreseen it. But you will need to do your part. You will need to discover your special capabilities, grant them expression, and seek opportunities to use them. Genius awaits you.