Gifts from God

Have you ever stopped to consider how all the pieces of your life fit together? Whether you realize it or not, God put certain things in your path and gave you opportunities to strengthen different skills, so that He could prepare you for your purpose. 

As a 30-year-old woman, I remember thinking back on my cheerleading years and wondering how it connected to my adult life. For 13 years, from kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I cheered for my school and led pep rallies. As an adult, I couldn’t see the reason God had for giving me those experiences. 

Not long after that, I went to a conference where I heard women speak passionately about leading others to Christ. I thought to myself, “I want to do that someday.” Right then, God connected the dots for me. Because of cheerleading, I’m comfortable in front of large crowds and able to hold their attention. In all those years, God had been preparing me for the role He created for me.

Every one of your life experiences makes you uniquely you. Consider the natural talents God has given you, the different opportunities you’ve had, and the skills you’ve acquired. Think about where you grew up, where you’ve traveled, what you’ve learned. Maybe you understand different cultures and can relate to people around the world, or maybe you create art that inspires and moves people to action. The various experiences you’ve had in your life may seem irrelevant on their own, but together, they’re leading you toward something meaningful that you can use to glorify God. 

We see this in the book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman who is in the unique position to save her people from mass genocide. Even as the wife and queen of the Persian King, she didn’t see herself as special or more important to God’s plan than anyone else. She was just doing her best to survive. But because of who she was, where she lived, the time she lived in, who she had influence with, and the wisdom God gave her, He used her to save the Israelites from death.

There’s no question that God has given you skills, talents, education, financial power, status, or influence that is special to you. The question is how you will use it. You don’t have to be in full-time ministry to do God’s work. You can work for God in business or in the home, with many or with few. Most of us won’t be famous someday, but we all have circles of influence and unique gifts that those in our circle of influence need. Ask God to reveal how these things equip you for His purpose.

God, thank you for everything you’ve given me and for every opportunity you’ve placed in my path. Show me all the strengths, characteristics, learnings, influence, and provisions you’ve given me that are unique to me. Reveal how they all come together to point to your purpose for my life. I want to use the things in my past for your Kingdom. Help me bring glory and honor to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Created for Purpose

Each of us was born to fulfill a specific purpose in this world. Even though we might not choose to acknowledge it, or have it figured out yet, God designed every single person with an incredibly unique combination of gifts that He wants to use to grow His Church. Thankfully, God has placed clues in our hearts and, through the Holy Spirit, guides us to discover our purpose.

As children, we have such big imaginations. We create characters and whole worlds where we see ourselves as capable of anything. The sky’s the limit! We haven’t learned what to fear or been told we can’t. We’re not yet confined by life’s harsh realities or worried about status. We’re confident in who we are and free to play out our dreams.

I can remember playing in the front yard in my superhero pajamas with the matching top and bottom. I was Wonder Woman, rescuing the world from danger! I’d stand guard on the porch with my hands on my hips, and at the first sign of trouble, I would jump in to save the day. Even after playing all day long, I wouldn’t get tired of it.

When I got older, I wondered why I’d had that particular desire when I was little. It became clear to me that even as a child, I wanted to help those who couldn’t help themselves. As a pastor, that’s exactly what I get to do today. I work tirelessly to rescue people from the gates of hell by leading them to The Rescuer. I know God put me on this earth to help save people. He put that desire in me from the beginning.

Maybe you didn’t want to be a superhero. Instead, you followed a nightly bedtime routine for all your dolls, or set up a class of stuffed animals to teach. Maybe you pretended to heal the sick, report the news, or explore new worlds. Whatever dreams you had as a child, they weren’t in your heart by coincidence. God placed them there for a purpose. Even though the world may have convinced you to dismiss them as imaginary, they’re still there—woven into the fabric of who He made you to be.

If you’re unsure of God’s purpose for you, look at what you’ve dreamed. Consider the things that draw you to tears, pull on your heart strings, get you fired up, and bring you to a righteous anger. He put those things in you, uniquely creating you for a purpose that only you can fulfill. 

God, thank you for creating me with a specific purpose in mind. Thank you for believing in me and giving me exactly what I need to fulfill your calling on my life. Reveal to me the passions, hopes, and desires you’ve placed in my heart, and clearly show me how to use them for your Kingdom Lord. Help me to live in your will and bring you glory with everything I say and do. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Straight Paths

Living out our purpose means living in surrender to God. When we surrender to His will, it doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to sit back and do nothing. It means we continually seek Him as we move forward. The Bible promises us that He will make our paths straight, but for Him to direct our steps, we have to keep taking them.

Years ago, God gave me the vision and desire to start a ministry that would help women of all ages learn how to firmly root their identity in Christ. At the time, I had no idea how to execute a dream that big. Of course, I understood it wouldn’t happen overnight, but I didn’t even know where to start! We would need a location, a skilled team, financing, signed contracts, and legal consulting, just to name a few. Instead of getting overwhelmed, I decided to seize the opportunities God placed in my path and trust Him with the outcome. After a few years, we held our first retreat. I know it wouldn’t have happened without my obedience to take that first step and my surrender to His will every step of the way.

It pleases God when we seek Him in our decision making. Even when I’ve made a wrong turn, I’ve seen Him turn my path and bring me back to where He wants me. There have been times when it was clear to me that He made a way, and times He closed a door. I believe that He is working it all out because He knows my heart is to serve Him. If we acknowledge Him in every moment, surrender our future, and try to make decisions that honor Him, His purpose for our lives will become clear.

Even though you might not be sure of the final destination, ask yourself what step you feel God is leading you to take right now. If you’re good with kids, you might try serving in your kids’ ministry at church. If you’re good at organizing, maybe you’d enjoy helping your local clothes closet take in new items and keep things orderly. If you can’t yet discern where God is leading you, start inviting people to church. As Christ followers, we’re all called to bring more people with us into eternity.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others” (TPT). In other words, just start putting your talents to good use and pouring yourself out in service of His Kingdom. Taking an uncertain step in honor of God, is better than doing nothing. Don’t let the fear of making the wrong step keep you from moving forward. He is trustworthy to create something extraordinary from your offering. 

God, thank you for including me in your master plan. I know you have a vision for my life, and I trust you to direct my steps toward the purpose you planned for me. Help me continue to process what I’ve started through this plan. Help me to see myself through your lens of truth. Show me what I’m passionate about, what I’m good at, what I’ve overcome, where you’re leading me, and how the sum of those pieces uniquely qualify me to do your work. Continue refining me so I’m prepared to serve in the role you’ve carved out for me. All I want to do is to honor you with my whole life. Guide me and make my path straight. In Jesus’ most powerful and precious name, amen. 

We pray God used this plan to minister to your heart.
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