Occasionally I will get emails from Internet friends who ask some really great questions. Instead of stockpiling them up in my email folders like a crazy lady from Hoarders, I will share them here on the blog so we can all join in the fun, add to the discussion, and grow as individuals who are passionate about changing their corner of the world.
Today’s question is asked by Jenny from Montauk, New York. [Sidebar: Jenny, I’ve always wanted to visit Montauk and wear a big hat with mysterious glasses! Expect me and Matt to show up at your door sometime this summer 😉 Yes, we will gladly sleep on the couch!]
Jenny: How do you develop your gifts? I feel like God has gifted me in several areas, but I’m not sure which one to pursue fully, but I want to develop what I have.
Great question, Jenny! I have lots of gifts too, like sleeping, blinking, and breathing. I’m SO talented in those areas that I could possibly win an Olympic gold medal. Yes, I can hear our national anthem playing even now… But I digress. Developing gifts is something I passionately love to share with others. Not because I’m necessarily a pro at development structures but because I really love seeing people find their purpose in God.
This list is not remotely comprehensive, but I had to give four quick tips, these would make my list:
- Focus on the strengths God gave you. Concentrating on your strengths will help you fulfill the calling God has put on your life.
Sometimes it’s easier to focus on what we don’t have, what we aren’t good at, what we want to do, rather than realizing how God created us. I could never in a million years train hard enough to be a Olympic high jumper. I’m a 5’2” MexiRican, for crying out loud?! But I know that God’s made me a 5’2” with hips for a reason. - Exercise your gift. Find something you like to do and that you do well, and do it over and over again. Want to know what will happen? You will feel better about yourself because you won’t be constantly failing.
- Have the courage to be different. Unhappiness comes when you try to be like everyone else rather than embracing the unique person that you are.
In the words of my brilliant father, Be who you is! Just be who you is. Why try to be someone else? That’s already been done! Just own who you are and use the gifts God has given you to be uniquely you. - Learn to cope with criticism. Have enough confidence in who you are in Christ that you can listen to others and be open to change without feeling you have to agree with their viewpoint or attain their approval.
[At this point my friends and family are rolling their eyes because I loathe criticism. I may not employ all these tips with excellence, but I can at least admit they are valuable ;)]
As a reminder for us all, God has planted greatness in each one of us. Let today be the beginning of a great adventure as you step into the gifts He’s given you.
Hope this helps, Jenny! Thanks for your love and support. If anyone has any thing to add to that list, feel free to chime in. If you have any Q&A questions or vlog suggestions, feel free to drop a note as well.
Happy Friday, friends!
Thanks B, perfect timing as I step out in faith once again.
I LOVE YOU!
what if you don’t have a gift
Ugh! I LOVE this question. I will address it next week 🙂
I just read a quote that said comparrisons destroy joy. All I know, is that there are spiritual gifts, as well as natural gifts.
There is a list in the bible in the book of Romans chapter 12. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. And one thing that I know about gifts, is that without love, it means nothing at all. 🙂
Thanks for the additional insight, J!
Just discovered your blog. Sometimes the roar of life is so loud in my ears, that I forget all about developing the gifts that I’ve been given. Great post. Will be back!
Thanks Emily 😉
I have been struggling to find my gift but i still do not know what it is and i just refuse to believe that i do not have one. I thought being REALLY REALLY good at being bossy was a gift but my family disagreed, so it’s back to square one for me.
Hahahaha! No, I don’t think bossiness is a gift, but perhaps leadership is. Food for thought!
Hey Bianca..
Well said…Number 3 is my fav…good advice..The advertising world comes to mind with its “dress a certain way, eat at certain spots and you’ll feel good and fit in”. But God doesn’t want us to fit in, He loves unique. (Thank goodness)
Oh and as an aside you’ll feel very tall standing beside me, I’m only 4’11” !!!!!! 😉
4’11’?! AWESOME! You make me feel like I’m tall. 🙂
I love Jesus so much. This is what He has been speaking to me recently 🙂
I want to see next week’s response to Morgan’s question because I am still trying to figure out what I am good at. For now, though, I’m happy in Jesus. 🙂
Bianca,
How did you discover that your gift is teaching?
Did you always know?
Thanks!
Hey Bianca! I was at CHIC a few weeks ago to hear you speak, and the first thing I did when I got home was look you up online, and I was so happy to find this blog!!!! Just wanted to say thanks for all you are doing, and that hearing you speak was such a blessing for me right now in life, and I will remember it forever! Thanks again:)
Wow, so awesome! I hope you had as much fun at CHIC as I did 🙂