So apparently, God wants me to continue a bit with the theme of finding your purpose, discovering your talents and strengths and really accepting who God made you to be.
Sometimes we don’t surrender to our talents and abilities out of fear. Maybe fear of embarrassment or fear of failure. Other times, perhaps we are overcome with guilt. We think we should do or be one thing but perhaps, God is trying to tell us it is okay to be the other.
Since writing about Tinkerbell the other day, I have continued to be confronted with this issue in one way or another.
A friend of mine is an excellent artist. He is sort of "artsy" all the way around, if you know what I mean. He is musically gifted, he writes very eloquently, and he paints. So you get the picture. He is an artist. He sees the world differently than others.
He loves creating things but he works in a field where there is little to no opportunity to do that. There is only an opportunity to make money in order to provide for his family. Perhaps following that dream or developing that talent- if done for the glory of God- could provide a means for his family and simultaneously free him to be who God made him to be.
I have another friend who is struggling to determine how to balance being a mother with having a career. She hears two voices inside her head- one that tells her she needs to be more available for her children and one that tells her she needs to find a way to succeed in the business world. I wonder if she was able to find a way to use her business skills and talents- and also glorify God at the same time, if she would find peace.
Just yesterday, my husband gave me an article to read about Steve Jobs, written by Gary North. Steve Jobs led quite a life. One of the key messages he wanted to convey to others was to have the courage to listen to the voice inside of you and follow your heart. This is a quote that really touched me: “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
Yes, our hearts and intuition already know who we want to become because of God. He made us to be and do certain things. He filled our heart with desire to become who he made us to be. Before he formed us, he knew us.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Again, so many times we let fear of embarrassment or fear of failure or practicality or just plain guilt prevents us from pursuing our dreams. All of these things- fear, practicality, and guilt- are appropriate at times. However, there are times when they can come directly from Satan.
God made each of us and each of us he made to be unique. The same choices are not right for everyone. Things are not always black or white. Sometimes, they are gray.
For me, the choice I make to stay home and take care of my child and husband is what God called me to do and I know that. Second to this, though, I am called to share some of my financial skills to help others (our school and church). I am also called to lead a group of ladies in bible study (really all I do is organize and facilitate it). And of course, I feel called to write this blog. But that is my story. It is not necessarily yours.
There are many strong Christian women who have full time careers. The world encourages this but the "Christian culture" may sometimes look down on it. It is easy to accept and “okay” careers for those in ministry. Even lawyers are usually okay with the Christian culture as well because they are perceived as fighting for justice.
What about doctors? Teachers? Accountants? Women in sales? Factory workers? Artists? Do you look down on women who are out working in a career with a family at home or do you envy them?
I would pitch it out there that all of these careers are in some way centered on service, either directly or indirectly. As long as we keep God and His Kingdom in the center of our decisions (work, life, everything), then we do not need to feel guilty about pursuing our talents and dreams.
Let me say, though, that our spouses and children must come first. They don’t have to be the only things that define us but they need to be our top priority. It is kind of like getting dressed each day. Start with the underwear. It is key! Once you have it on, you can add other layers. Our family is like our underwear! Ha ha!
I remember Beth Moore once saying that the biggest success in ministry does not make up for failure at home. That really stuck with me.
I should also say that timing is important. “NOW” is not always the right time. Life is full of seasons. You can have it all, but not all at one time.
It is imperative we stay God-centered versus self- centered. When I was working in finance and it was all about me and my ego I was miserable. As soon as I made it about someone else, helping someone else, I found this God given talent to be so fulfilling!
So how do we stay God-centered?
First and foremost, we must learn how to recognize our selfish tendencies. Here are a few points to help with this:
1. Focus on JOY (J- Jesus, O- Others, Y- you). (FYI, my 8 year old taught me that!). Serving others is the main point in our lives. It is what we are here to do!
2. Don’t take the glory! Use your talents for others, not you and remember to give that glory to God!
3. Continue to study and pray. Your relationship with God should always be changing and evolving. You should constantly be growing and transforming.
God loves you! He wants what is best for you.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
There is a song I just love--- Made To Worship, Chris Tomlin-- that speaks volumes about our overall purpose here. The chorus is this:
When you and I embrace surrender,
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be.
I sure do love those lyrics. Read them again. When we embrace surrender and choose to believe, we will see who we are meant to be. We will see who God made us to be.
Here is the song. Enjoy!
I adore you, Friend!
ReplyDeleteI needed that - especially the video - this morning. . .I'm continuing to worship - and you are by my side.