In retrospect...........
"I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be." -- -- Ken Venturi
What are you good at? I know a friend who says that he doesn't have any talent to speak of, that there is nothing he can bring to the table or to the world.
Wow! Is he for real? Then maybe he does not know his God - the God who made him. Because God does not create junk.
When you first saw the light of day out from your mother's womb, your life has already been figured out by Him. He placed everything that you would be needing to carry out your mission order. Right, YOUR mission order. And when God does that, it only means that you have been equipped and enabled to work it.
But since He also gave you your free will, much of that will depend on what you intend to do with it. Or your understanding of it.
Your parents help you along to discovery by sending you to school, molding your character in the home, and you yourself get into the mainstream of gathering experience which in turn help shape your inclination. The hint is right there under your nose. Now the question to ask is.... where are your eyes set on? Or your heart.. and mind.
Let's make it simple. The goal of your existence, our existence, is to serve. Jesus showed us the way. But God in His magnificent god-ship decided to make it easier for us by blessing us each with talent. Talent which comes in many forms of thought, speech, and action. It's there for our enjoyment.. yes ... but solely not for our self-gratification alone. It has a purpose, by God's design. And that purpose is to bring God's magnificence out to the world.
Nope, I'm not thinking of doing it on a grand or grander scale. Although some others may or can. Saving the endangered species, preserving our forest lands, feeding programs for malnourished children, building houses for the homeless, and many other worthy causes. That also is part of the diversity of the gift. But to the greater majority of simple lives and simple people, we are matched with it in a more reasonable and realistic scale. Yet ordinary people who can do things extraordinarily well, by God's design.
We do it with our family, our neighbor, our friends, our community, and even to strangers who are called to our circle of life. We bring to them simple gestures of kindness, loyalty, responsibility, hard work, optimism, courage, help, inspiration, encouragement, faith, goodness, laughter and smiles, hope, strength... even our music and dance, our writing and art, our intelligence in science and mathematics, our inventions that make a difference in society, our friendships. There's lots more. You can see yourself in any of these. All with the aim of helping make this world a better place for everyone. Or perhaps just one person. That would still be good. Service with a higher goal. You see, we too are co-creators of our world.
That is God's definition of talent.
So.. the question again is --- What are you good at? Use it! No excuses now, you have to better than you ever thought you could be. God expects it. He planned it. And know what..... 'Whatsoever you shall sow...... so shall you reap.' (Gal 6:7) Blessings to you all!
(Photo courtesy of Mike Kinnaird)
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteA very thought provoking and motivational post. It is true that we may not be aware but each of us has some unique quality which could be put to use for universal happiness. Each of us should look for it and use it to the maximum.
Take care
Thank you! Great thoughts and wisdom. ;D It's some of the simplest things that get overlooked by our busy lives. ;D
ReplyDeleteGood questions, Ellen. I think it's sad that most of us knew back when we were kids what we wanted to be when we grew up, but we still question it all. I'm almost 50, and first figuring my path out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have the best new year ever!
Oh this is good, Jack --- '..but each of us has some unique quality which could be put to use for universal happiness. Each of us should look for it and use it to the maximum..' Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you, Billy! Thank you for taking time from your wonderful blog. All the best for the new year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGuidance is there. God is with you every step of the way. Blessings to you and your loved ones, Deb! Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant I should say.There is a purpose in everyone's life and it is for us to find it out to do what God has designed for us.Work is worship.Whatever we do if we do very sincerely in the spirit of service, we can succeed in our lives.
ReplyDeleteReading your posts is always an enriching and elevating experience
I enjoy your blog a lot! So much so that I have given you an award. The Inspirational Blog Award! Come check it out on my blog. ;D
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, KP. Always a pleasure and delight to see you here. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog, Icedgurl! :-) May your day be filled with blessings beyond measure.
ReplyDeleteOh that's so lovely, Billy. Feeling so blessed and delighted by it. Thank you so much. Blessings will pour out back at you a hundredfold. Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteHi Ellen, thats the best practice you mentioned ..:) wish u and your family a very happy new year..
ReplyDeleteheard abt the floods in your country..hope its fine now.. indeed, ordinary men do extraordinary things.. truly said :)
have good time!
So nice to be seeing you again, Prams! Thank you for your thoughtful concern.. things have settled down now with the floods over. But of course the real work comes after. Many have lost their dear ones and homes, livelihood too in that huge flood. Our government is addressing those concerns with everything possible within their control. Much work up ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely visit. Blessings to you!