Jack of all trades or Master of one?

I have to admit, that I used to really hate that saying "Jack of all trades, master of none."   I hated it because it describes me.  Ok, maybe I am not a "Jack of ALL trades"....but you get the point.  I don't have one particular specialized skill/talent.  I am what you might call in broad terms - a generalist. 

In my opinion, our present day world/society of "Be #1", "Be The Best", American Idol, Master Chef and the like, we are all made to feel insignificant and insecure if we don't "make it" in one specialized talent or skill.   This view can mess people up bad. It is a suffocating pressure that surrounds us all and if we don't reach for the air-mask of our identity, we are bound to live (as Thoreau put it) quiet lives of desperation (and I'll add - defeat).  

Don't get me wrong, we are ALL wonderfully and uniquely made by our awesome Creator!   I will tell you that I would most definitely want a specialist in the medical profession when I or someone I love needs a particular ailment cured.  I would also want a specialist when it comes to the engineering of a building, bridge or home.  

However, with that being said, there are many of us out there that are made with a large handful of (what this society might call) "average" -- and that is not a bad thing!    Honestly, I think it is what keeps the Home Depot and Lowes home improvement stores profitable.  They are counting on the the "average" person who has curiosity combined with just enough guts (and general knowledge/skill) to try out a variety of DIY projects.   

I think it is important that we have both specialist AND generalist.  If we only had one and not the other, this world wouldn't work right.  What we need to do is not just celebrate those who are masters at their skill/talents (as our society does)....but also those who are the "Jack of all trades", for God made us all - for His glory and purposes.


~Joyce