November 22 Luke 1:76-78
76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
These verses are part of the song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. He sings after the birth of his son on the occasion of his circumcision. It is prophetic even as John himself will grow up to be prophetic. I have noticed that many successful people began their journey to success in childhood. I think of Billy Joel. I don’t really know his story. However, no one gets to be a great pianist if they start late in life. He must have begun at a young age to become so proficient.
ChatGBT shares the following
Many successful individuals demonstrated exceptional talent or promise in their childhood, and these early signs often indicated the potential they would fulfill later in life. Here are a few examples:
1.Mozart – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart started composing music at five years old and performed in royal courts across Europe. By his teens, he was known as a musical genius, laying the foundation for his legacy as one of history’s greatest composers.
2.Marie Curie – Growing up in Poland, Marie Curie showed an intense curiosity about science from an early age. Her academic brilliance was clear in her youth, despite limited opportunities for women. She later became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to win in two scientific fields, physics and chemistry.
3.Serena Williams – By the time Serena Williams was a young child, her father saw her potential and started training her rigorously in tennis. Her intense focus and skill became apparent as she entered competitive tournaments, and she eventually became one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport’s history.
4.Albert Einstein – Although he reportedly had trouble speaking fluently as a young child, Einstein showed a fascination with science and mathematics early on. His curiosity and problem-solving abilities eventually helped him change the way we understand physics.
5.Malala Yousafzai – Malala became a public advocate for girls’ education by age 11 in Pakistan. She began writing and speaking out on behalf of girls facing educational barriers, and her early promise in activism eventually led her to become the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate.
6.Bill Gates – As a child, Gates displayed a strong aptitude for math and science. He was already programming by age 13, and his passion for technology paved the way for Microsoft and a transformative career in computing.
7.Pablo Picasso – By the time he was seven, Picasso was painting under the guidance of his father, an art instructor. His natural talent for drawing was so remarkable that he surpassed his father’s abilities by his teens, leading him to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Each of these individuals not only showed early potential but also had opportunities to nurture their abilities and perseverance, which helped turn their talents into lasting impact.
There is a family story of my early interest in sharing the Gospel. When I was about 3 my sister and I were sent to VBS. At the closing program my class sang the song Fishers of Men, complete with body motions.
At Christmas when I was 9 I got an Origami book for Christmas. It’s a hobby I enjoy and have used in Ministry. Also I’m not sure Billy Joel but I was first in a choir in kindergarten.
What from your childhood contributes to your interests and success in life?
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