A young boy dreams of being a major league baseball some day. His parents were both athletes in their younger years, having some success at the high school and college level,

As a youth he grew quickly, seemingly always a head taller than everyone else. He seemed more agile than others his age. He was fast on his feet, quick with his mind, and excelled at the game of baseball.

Tee-Ball. Little League. Pony League. High School Baseball. College Baseball.

At every level he excelled.

Finally, his big day came.

A Major League baseball team makes him their number 1 draft pick.

It is not long before he works his way through the minor leagues, and two years after being drafted he makes his Major League debut.

He is an instant sensation, quickly showing everyone that he is an all-star in the making.

One night, during a game where he went 4-4, hit a home run, drove in 3 runs, and stole a base, the announcer explains the greatness of this talented baseball player.

He has a God given talent to play like he does.

Nary a person will question such an utterance.

It seems if people excel in life it is because God has blessed them or God has given them a special dose of talent.

Few are the people who excel in life. Most of us have a few things we are good at and we try to nurture those things the best we can. We know we will not be remembered for any great feats, nor will the record books make any mention of us. We lived. We loved. We died. We, you and and me, and billions others of us……are just every day human beings.

It would seem the God didn’t want us to be stand outs or superstars. Evidently God only has a chosen few he blesses with superb God given talent.

How does the nontheist explain the baseball player mentioned above? If it is not God given talent what is it?

Genetics.

Home Environment.

Passion.

Hard work.

Luck.

All of these are a far better explanation than God given talent.

We demean people when we reduce their hard work to God given talent. The few things I am good at in life are the result of me working hard at them. Granted these things come easy for me BUT I still work hard to cultivate and improve the talents I have. I suspect it is the same for you too.

I am all for giving credit to whom credit is due.

The all-star baseball player helps propel the home team to the World Series.  They handily win the series and the little boy, now a grown-up all-star player is voted the series most valuable player.

As he is interviewed after the last game of the series he says “I want to thank God____________________.”

And I say to myself………or to the TV……….No I want to thank YOU. Thank you for playing hard. Thank you for hustling on every play. Thank you for working hard every day to be the very best player your can be.