Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 10, 2016
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6a
Know and understand your strengths, for it is best to behave how God created you. By God’s grace, He places within you giftedness to carry out His plan. This is called your core competency. You may be a gifted leader, so lead. You may be a gifted coach, so coach. You may be a gifted counselor, so counsel. You may be a gifted administrator, so administrate. You may be a gifted networker, so network. You may be a gifted writer, so write. You may be a gifted teacher, so teach. You may be a gifted servant, so serve. You may be a gifted artist, so create. You may be a gifted communicator, so communicate. There is a long menu of gifts, and you probably represent several of them. Study your gifts, and you will discover your strengths.
Become comfortable with and accept the one thing you do naturally. It is effortless because God has engineered you for this. He gave you the skills and abilities to innovate, create, and produce these desired outcomes. However, make sure you do not confuse passion with strength. If you have the passion to speak, it is imperative you at least have the raw skill for speaking. Many of the technicalities of communication can be learned, but don’t try to make yourself become someone you’re not. Synergy for life and work come as you align passions and strengths. Take the time to understand what you do best and where you have the most energy, and then position your responsibilities at home and work to mirror that ideal. Do not be afraid to change and try new things.
Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you well to affirm where they see your passion displayed. Then, prayerfully align around both. You can know and understand your strengths by taking a spiritual gifts test, as this helps you define your God-given disposition. Take a personality assessment, for this helps you understand your temperament. Lastly, consider taking a psychological test, because this reveals your emotional intelligence and your leadership style. Be who God has made you to be, and you will be free.
Furthermore, embrace and celebrate your struggles. They keep you humble. Do not resist accepting your struggles; embrace them instead. Make your challenges your servant by allowing others to do much better at what you can’t do. It is okay not to like details, but value them and those who manage them well. Your struggles beg the need for a team. It is in your struggle that you depend more on God and others. So, be honest with yourself about what you don’t do well. Accept the fact that even though you want to do something, you don’t need to if others can do it better. They can free you to do what only you can do. Release your areas of mediocre effectiveness, as this gives others opportunities for excellence. Laugh at yourself, for this frees you from the tension of unrealistic expectations, and allows you to enjoy life.
You are a valued member in the Body of Christ. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13a).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, use my strengths for Your glory and my struggles to grow my dependence on You.Application
Whom can I learn from, who has strengths I don’t have?Related Reading
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.Post/Tweet today
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Great post, thank you so much for sharing. Knowing what I’m supposed to do, and finding my passions are definitely difficult for me. I’m wondering if you can recommend or even share a link for a spiritual gifts test, psychological test, and a personality test.
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your encouraging words after reading “Strengths and Struggles”. I think you may speak for many in our Wisdom Hunter’s family when you stated, “Knowing what I’m supposed to do, and finding my passions are definitely difficult for me”.
I researched some websites for spiritual gifts tests. There were a few : SpiritualGiftsTest.com and also, http://www.lifeway/spiritualgifts-LifewayChristianResources. I believe there are books in the Christian bookstores, too, that are written for those searching for their spiritual gifts.
As far as a personality test, check out the Myers-Briggs test. There is also information online abut that test. (www.mbtionline.com)
And Charlie, as Boyd mentioned in the devotional, “Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you to affirm where they see your passion displayed. Then, prayerfully align around both”. I think the key is to pray and ask our Heavenly Father to guide you with wisdom and discernment as you seek out your strengths.
Charlie, please let us know where this “Godly adventure” takes you. We will anxious to hear from you!
We are grateful for you.
Blessings,
Gwynne
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
“But do not be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-17