At an audition a couple days ago, the casting director said to the three guys in front of me, “Hey, I’m going to let Lisa audition first. You guys make sure you watch her, because you could learn something.” Flattered by the comment, I knew it wasn’t all “talent” that caused this casting director to say what he did. Because I know the truth—I work really hard.

I prepare for every audition. I arrive with my lines memorized, even if I’m told in the prep email there’s no need. But I’ve not just memorized my lines, I’ve learned them. What my preparation does is allow me to be ready to take direction and ideas the director gives me, without the distraction of trying to remember my lines at the same time. And maybe this comes off as “talent” but I know my hard work helps me succeed.

I also take the time to look through my customized closets designed by Custom Closets Houston and find the outfit that will best represent the character. If I’m going in as a nurse, I wear scrubs. If I’m auditioning as a mom, I wear a cardigan and flats. And If I don’t have the right outfit, I text people—just ask my neighbors. I had an audition the other day as a scout leader. Of course I don’t have a scout uniform, so I called my neighbor whose kids are BIG into scouts, and I borrowed all their gear.  I showed up to the audition and was the only actor who looked the part. And looking the part helps the client or director not have to imagine me as the character, but see me in the role.

And as a result, I book gigs. Not all of them, as I was reminded at a callback last week—you can work hard but it still doesn’t change the fact you’re dark brunette with a “pan-ethnic” look, when the client has chosen to go with a bleach-blonde daughter who looks All-American. She and I just won’t pass for a mom/daughter duo. On to the next audition…

But I haven’t always worked hard. I often reflect back on the time I was in my late teens/early twenties and I “lazied” my way through an expensive, elite, 4-year theater program at Southern Methodist University. I’ll never forget when an assignment in one of my sophomore theater classes, was to prepare a large scene from Anton Chekhov’s, “Three Sisters”. I had rehearsed, maybe twice with my scene partner. I don’t remember which of my classmates had the “privilege” if being paired with me, but I’m sure they were furious with me.

When the day came to perform, I had memorized my lines, but I hadn’t read the play and barely knew what the scene was about. So I just “acted” my way through. Tears were flowing and emotions were rolling and I delivered a stellar performance. The class erupted with applause and I was so very proud of myself. But when I went in for my end of semester grade session with my professor, Matt Tomlonovich, he said these haunting words to me. “Lisa, your performance in the ‘Three Sisters’ piece amazed me and the entire class was mesmerized. But it was your talent, not your dedicated work ethic, which brought your performance to life. And because of your lack of hard work, what could have been an ‘A’ in my class, is now a ‘D’”.

Embarrassed and mortified doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt as I left his office that day.

Famed Basketball player, Kevin Durant’s mentor and coach, Taras Brown, used encourage him with this quote during workouts, “Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.” And I think my theater professor would agree. And now I do too. But hard work doesn’t just book commercials and make us successful basketball players. Hard work glorifies God.

In a culture that wants shortcuts to everything, (and truly, who doesn’t want those?) working hard makes people look twice and say, “That girl has something different about her.” And I’m different than the rest because the Boss I’m working for isn’t my boss. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

My husband Markus and I talk to our elementary-aged boys ALL the time about hard work. We tell them we could care less about great grades, as long as whatever grade they receive, they have put forth their very best effort. We don’t care if they win a game or score a goal, as long as they kill in on the court or field and do their very best. Because hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard. And hard work glorifies God.

We work hard because it makes God famous, even if no one else notices. Because He does. Working hard should be an act of worship to the God who has graciously given us gifts and talents, and dominion over His creation to work and care for. Our hard work is a love offering back to Him. And so if our earthly work isn’t “successful” and we don’t book the gig, or get the grade we wanted, or score the point, or win the game, who cares! True success is the fragrant offering of the work of our hands back to the God who’s entrusted us with the work in the first place, regardless of the result.

Let’s work hard, even if the talent around us fails to do so. And may God be made famous!