“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
One of my favorite Christmas songs is “All is Well”, by Michael W. Smith, featuring Carrie Underwood’s amazing voice. I believe this song touches my soul not only because of its beautiful lyrics, vocals, and music, but because I get to experience the fruit of two people fulfilling the very purpose for which they were created. Their callings, talent, and abilities are a gift for the rest of us to enjoy.
The same is true when we read a great book, watch an inspiring movie, have an amazing teacher, walk into a beautifully decorated room, experience outstanding customer service, eat delicious food, hear a great sermon, receive a word of encouragement, attend an event that runs smoothly, get an awesome haircut, navigate through our smartphones… you get the picture.
In each of those cases, we benefit from somebody’s choice to exercise their gifts, talents, and abilities. Their gift brings exponential glory to God when they share it with others, and the ripple effect is beyond anything we can possibly imagine with the potential of reaching multiple generations. How cool is that?!
Dear sister, you exist to become who God created you to be. You have gifts and talents He carefully chose just for you, and the people around you desperately need you to pursue God’s purpose for your life.
Maybe you struggle as I did. Instead of taking the time to get to know myself and ask God to reveal His purpose for my life, I spent many years coveting other people’s gifts and wishing they were mine. But trying to excel at things I was not created to do was exhausting, frustrating, and unfulfilling.
I had to accept God’s invitation to unwrap the gifts He had chosen for me to fulfill my specific calling and purpose. He led me on a journey of self-discovery to find out my likes and dislikes, my dreams and desires, my strengths and weaknesses, my fears and insecurities, etc. I had to lay it all at the feet of Jesus so that He could speak truth where I had believed lies, and breath life into the dreams that were dying inside me.
It was like unwrapping the most beautiful and thoughtful gift I have ever received. It had always been mine for the taking, but I had snubbed it for years and years because I was more interested in other gifts that in my mind looked bigger, shinier, or more attractive than mine.
Maybe you already know what you were created to do and have every desire to step into your purpose, but fear is standing in the way of taking the first step. Wherever you find yourself, today is always a good day to take a step in the right direction!
Here are some ways to get to know yourself and begin to unwrap the gifts and talents God entrusted you with:
- Take a personality test. The DISC and Myers-Briggs personality tests are two really good ones, and I’m sure there are multiple others that can help you find out how you are wired. The test results are a good window into how other people experience you. They also allow you to see if you are operating in your personality’s strengths or weaknesses. The point is to create self-awareness so that, with God’s help, you can address the areas that need changing.
- Take a strengths test. I love the Clifton Strengths Finder test! It was a game-changer for me. Knowing what you are naturally good at is a great clue into the gifts that God entrusted to you. Sometimes these strengths are obvious to everyone else but us. Other times we just resist them because we wish we had different strengths. Either way, it’s really cool to find out what your strengths are, and how they lineup with the desires that God placed in your heart.
- Take a spiritual gifts test. Are you an encourager? An intercessor? Do you just absolutely love to share the gospel with others? Do you love to serve? Do you love to fill a need when you see one? Are you a great teacher? As believers, we should all be using our spiritual gifts to edify one another and to expand God’s kingdom. Find out what yours is! Most churches have some kind of version of this test, just ask one of the leaders.
- Think about the areas people compliment you about most often or the things that you enjoy doing the most. Chances are, they relate to how you are wired and your purpose.
- I saved the best for last… ask God! Guess what? He does not want to keep you guessing! He is more than willing to reveal to you the reason you exist. He does that through His word, through prayer, and through other people. Maybe you heard a sermon, read a verse, or read a book that really spoke to you. Pay attention to those times! God may very well be speaking to you!
If fear is what’s keeping you from stepping into your purpose, here are some suggestions that might be helpful:
- Read biographies or books about great leaders and people who pursued their dreams.
- Surround yourself with dream chasers.
- Join a group, club, or a community of people who are doing what you are called to do.
- Take small steps forward. That’s all God really requires of us. One small step of obedience after another.
- And above all, pray! Pray that God gives you the grace, courage, and strength to do what He created you to do. I can assure you that He will answer that prayer!
I’m attaching the video of Michael W. Smith performing with Carrie Underwood for your viewing pleasure. Imagine what the world would be missing if either one of them would have allowed fear to stand in the way of pursuing their callings. The same is true for the other musicians in this video. This song would have been pretty with just the piano and vocals, but all the other instruments turn a pretty song into a beautiful and majestic symphony.
This Christmas season unwrap and discover the amazing gifts God specifically chose for you, and determine to share them with those around you!
Your turn!
- If you could do anything without facing any obstacles, what would it be?
- What is keeping you from doing what God is calling you to do?
- Choose three actions steps from the lists above that you can complete in the next month.
Photo by Pixabay – Pexels
