You Got What It Takes

Can you forgive one more reference to a silly oldies song? The above title was recorded by many artists over several years and has a stanza which seems to relate to our article.

“You don’t live in a beautiful place, You don’t dress with the best of taste, and nature didn’t give you such a beautiful face, But…You got what it takes.”

The veracity of these words has been seen multiple times over the years. Celebrities who weren’t at all attractive but had a beautiful voice or those with little discernable looks or talent have had, “what it takes” in various areas. Sometimes it is a comedic flair or just the ability to get other celebrities to talk about themselves.

As Jesus traveled from place to place, He often saw worth in people whom others ignored. The poor widow who gave all she had to live on and put her two small copper coins into the temple treasury, comes to mind (Lk 21:2-4) (Mk 12:41-44). She had what it took to be lauded by Jesus.

The violent man who lived in the tombs and had to be chained would probably be the last choice by most people to become a missionary for Christ, but that is exactly what he was told to do after Jesus sent his demons into a herd of pigs (Mk 5:1-20). This man went into the cities of that area telling everyone what Jesus had done for him. Jesus knew that he, “had what it took.”

Jesus looked into honest and humble hearts of all kinds of folks (beggars, lepers, adulterers, tax collectors and fishermen) and let them know that He saw that they indeed, “had what it takes.”

Aren’t we thrilled that He still does that today? He still promises to take the burdens from the weary and give rest for the soul (Mat 11:28-29). He validates each and every seeker by affirming that we all have, “what it takes.” It takes what it has always taken, a repentant attitude (Lk 18:13-14), an obedient faith (Jo 15:10-11), and a love for one’s neighbors (Lk 10:27-28).

Jim Bailey