Yesterday I was hanging out with a few of our staff for lunch and found myself marveling at the uniqueness of each of them.

In our random chatter I observed:

Matt – knows all things media and video.  He really does.  He was rattling off names of music video directors, which videos they have done, what video was their last big one, etc.  Then he switches gears and is telling me all the technical requirements for the screens, projectors, lighting, etc for the Easter set.  I understood only a fraction of what he was talking about.  I’m just glad that he knows.

Ashley – knows the English language better than any one I’ve ever met.  She can explain to you in detail a prepositional phrase, a dangling participle and all those other grammar things.  Ashley is our resident “proofer” because the rest of us really don’t have a clue.

Jarrod – knows music and worship inside out.  Apparently 80’s hair bands had something to do with him pursuing music.  He comes up with the most random 80’s & 90’s music trivia.  Then he’ll switch gears and talk about all the worship leaders he follows, the church worship sets he watches online every Monday morning and new worship music on the horizon.

Miranda – she’s a music buff too.  She and Jarrod can talk for hours and the rest of us chime in occasionally when we can connect with some song or artist.  Miranda is especially good with the chick bands.

I could do this for each of our staff.  Each of them have unique interests and giftings that make them “experts” in different areas.  At one point, when I was sitting with these four, I found myself frustrated because I couldn’t keep up with all of their discussions.  I wished I had the knowledge to contribute more, but then I was reminded that it’s ok not to know everything.

Embrace what you know.

You have been gifted with certain interests and talents.  Over the course of your life you have naturally gravitated to those things and have learned more about that interest and passion… whether it’s music, grammar, media ,or in my case leadership and organizational development.

I was reminded that I don’t need to know it all.  I need to embrace what I know.

What do you know?  What are you a natural expert in?  What subject can you discuss for hours?