“What are you good at? Is there something you would love to do?”
When the facilitator of our team-building exercise asked these questions, I didn’t have an answer. Here I was, thirty-two years old and I didn’t know what I was good at or enjoyed.
I’d never had the courage or time to think about what I loved to do. Instead, up until that point, I had tried to do what others wanted, expected, or needed me to do. And I was pretty good at that.
But I was fairly miserable, too.
After I fumbled for an answer and recovered from the embarrassment of my lack, we took a break for lunch. Sliding up beside me, our facilitator, Miriam encouraged me to ask God what He created me to do and what would give me joy, if I did it.
I wasn’t designed to be who others expected me to be, or even wanted me to be. Miriam helped me see that, and she suggested I take some time to discover who God created me to be by identifying my abilities, passions, and spiritual gifts. In the weeks that followed, I took her advice and completed a spiritual gifts assessment.
Immediately, I recognized strengths and abilities that came naturally to me and sensed there was a reason God made me who I am, with my mixed bag of passions and preferences.
Looking back 15 years later, I wish I had known then what I know now. I wish I had known the promise of Jeremiah 1:5, where God says: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart” {NLT}.
Just like God called and equipped the prophet Jeremiah to be His mouthpiece to the Israelites, He has a specific call and gifting for each of us. And He establishes both before we are even born.
Isn’t it easy to neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us, and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly. But in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God has gifted us and set us apart — to serve and thrive.
Do you know what God has wired you to be good at and what you to love to do?
One of the ways to discover God’s unique wiring is through our spiritual gifts. Unlike talents and abilities received at natural birth, spiritual gifts are received at spiritual birth. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, God’s presence indwells our hearts in the form of the Holy Spirit. And, along with His presence comes a “present,” referred to as a spiritual gift.
Our spiritual gifts are thoughtfully chosen by our heavenly Father to help us fulfill His plans for our lives.
There are three main ways to discover our spiritual gifts. First is through experience in serving. A friend of mine was in the NFL when he became a Christian. Knowing God wanted him to serve but unsure where or how, he volunteered in the prayer ministry at church. Then one Sunday, his pastor asked him to share his testimony in the service, and that day he discovered his passion and giftedness for teaching God’s Word. Today he is the lead pastor of one of the fastest growing multi-ethnic congregations in the United States — but he didn’t start there.
Second, ask someone who knows you and has seen you serving. Friends and leaders in ministry are a great resource to help you find that place in the body of Christ best suited for you and your giftedness.
Finally, ask yourself: What gives me a sense of joy and fulfillment when I am contributing to ministry or something of spiritual significance? Then go do it.
God had a plan in mind when He made you. When you intentionally use your spiritual gifts, God will guide you toward the purposes for which He has set you apart — to fulfill His plans and dreams for your life.
Lord, I want to know the woman You had in mind when You created me.
I don’t want to grow old and never know Your purpose for my life.
Show me the gifts and dreams You have for me,
so I can offer what You want to give to others in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Renee,
I loved this post, and I think we all need to take the time to assess what are our spiritual gifts? If we are in Christ, God has not left us without a way or a gift for furthering His kingdom. Some are natural leaders, but God needs followers and helpers behind the scenes as well. All parts of the body working together. I have been praying about how best to use my spiritual gifts. I am kind of at a crossroads wondering how God might best use me. My gut instinct is to try to figure it out on my own, but His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts higher than my thoughts…He knows how best He wants to use me so I am trying to trust in Him with all my heart and not lean on my own thoughts and understanding. I do believe that when we take time to discover our gifts and use them to build His kingdom we find the “sweet spot” for living…thanks so much for this reminder!
Blessings,
Bev
Beth says
Oh my goodness I just read this AFTER I posted my comment….can’t believe we both used “gut instinct”…great minds think alike I guess!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
I think we’re both at that 50 something crossroad in life…here’s to looking at what God has to say about our spiritual gifts and having the courage to use them rather than relying on human “gut instinct”. Right there with you…
Bev xx
MJ says
Thank you for this very true reminder.
I needed to hear this today
Renee Swope says
So glad today’s post encouraged you!
Penny says
Renne,
Your post is an important reminder of why we should not compare ourselves, we were are all created uniquely.
When we hesitate or we are unclear, shouldn’t we trust that we are already doing or being what we are meant to do or be?
Penny
Penny says
So sorry I misspelled your name Renee.
Penny
Renee Swope says
No worries. 🙂
Renee Swope says
I agree Penny. Comparison has no place in the Body of Christ. 🙂
Kristi says
I love this! I love the message and I love how succinctly you put it! Over the past few years, God has been waking me up to who I am inside as well. It’s an exciting, fulfilling, God-discovering journey for me.
Thank you for these reminders and practical questions to ask myself in this beautiful journey of discovery.
Much appreciated.
Renee Swope says
So glad this post encouraged you and confirmed where you are in your journey! Thanks for sharing your encouragement!
Donna J says
It’s so beautiful we are called from within the womb and just as beautiful that when we have a question about our calling or anything really we just ask Him, the Wise, Warm-hearted One.
Renee Swope says
Amen!!
Jasmine @ Heart in Formation says
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think have noticed a “tangle” of the giftings…people doing things because 1. They always have, or 2. It was expected of them, or 3. They wanted to help. May God help us truly serve and move as He intended–regardless of race, age, gender, tradition, etc…. the Same Body has an eye, toenail and nostril hair, all working together, albeit differently, for a good purpose! Love and blessings to you all!
Renee Swope says
Amen!! I think so many times so many of us miss the biggest gifts of joy because we aren’t serving in our spiritual gifts. So instead of being filled up by doing what He uniquely created us to do, we get depleted so easily.
Melissa Henderson says
Thank you for the reminder that God does have a plan for me, even if I don’t know what that exact plan could be. One “gift” that God has given me is that I love to send cards of encouragement to people. I know that for some people, receiving a card in the mail, truly brightens their day and that makes me happy. 🙂 I feel that God’s love is shining through all the cards that people receive.
Renee Swope says
Melissa, the gift of encouragement is soooo important and I’m so glad you’re using it!! I have no doubt your notes are touching lives in ways you may never know, but God does. I bet every time you send one, He whispers, “Well done good and faithful servant.” 🙂
Melissa Henderson says
Thank you, Renee. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Beth Williams says
Renee,
Each of us needs to assess what we are good at and enjoy doing. For years I never knew what my spiritual gifts were. Then God kind of showed me what I’m good at–helping and encouragement!! I have a sense when people need a card, etc. telling them they are loved and prayed for. Also love doing things for people. My greatest joy is to cook/get meals for people when there are illnesses, etc. in the family! It isn’t always that easy for others to know, but just pray about it and let the Holy Spirit work in you!
Blessings 🙂
Beth says
Thank you for this post Renee – At 53, I still struggle to find out just where God would have me. I have desires and passions, but somehow when given the time, I don’t gravitate towards them. (I think this is grounded in a fear of failure; afraid to even go near where I feel God has gifted me because I’m afraid it will end in defeat). I resonate with what you wrote in your prayer at the end – I do not want to grow old and never have discovered what He created me to do, and the older I get, the more I dread that that is exactly how my life is going to play out. My life consists the general “stuff”; wife, mom, encourager, pray-er, full-time employee, always keeping involved and busy over family and worrying over adult children (lol). I thought I had discovered that writing was “it” for me. And while I’ve had a moderate amount of encouragement that my writing has been meaningful to others, I find that I shy away from it constantly now, afraid to begin again (for fear of failure and not living up to expectations; mine and others). I’m sinking to a rather mellow place that I don’t care for, and am not sure where I fit in. This was a good reminder to ask God about these things, and not just rely on my judgement or “gut instinct”. I’ve been trying to found out what He wants me to do in my own strength, and that part needs to change.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks Renee…I haven’t done an assessment in recent years so it may be a good time to re-do to see where I am in this particular season. 🙂
Stephanie says
Renee, I want to thank you so much for sharing this. I feel the same way as you did. I am 21 years old working small jobs that I really don’t want to do for the rest of my life, and when people ask me, what are my interests, what do I want to do for a living, I draw a blank and usually have no answer. Sometimes I am afraid of what lies ahead and I think will I find a job I love. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way but then others, like you, tell their stories and it helps me feel much better. I know that God has a beautiful plan for all of our lives and I know in His perfect timing I will find out what that is. I hope and pray that You always use your spiritual gifts. I know sharing this story has helped me, so thank you! Xoxo
Marty says
This post is so encouraging. “Our spiritual gifts are thoughtfully chosen by our heavenly Father to help us fulfill His plans for our lives.” Thank you so much for sharing your heart on this important subject. 🙂
Renee Swope says
You’re welcome Marty!! I’m so glad God encouraged your heart through this post. He’s got a special plan for your life and your gifts!