There are many things that many of us can do. Some of those things we like to do and others we do not. Just because we can do something does not mean that we should do it. Of the things that we are able to do how do we figure out what are our gifts and talents. How do we decide that this is something God has purposed for me to do? How do we determine that this is something we are made to do?
I am not a person who believes that what God wants for you to do and what you desire to do are in opposition to each other. I have met many people who are always afraid that God is going to ask them to do and be what they never wanted or that he is going to send them somewhere they don’t want to go. I know that this sometimes can happen and does, however God is not this mean being that is trying to have you be miserable and totally not enjoy life. He is not going to give you gifts and abilities he doesn’t want you to use.
There may be times in our lives that we are afraid and we let fear take us away from God’s will. There may be times that our negative experiences make us hesitant in answering God’s call. There are also times that we just don’t believe God can and wants to use us. Our self-esteem may have been destroyed by the unbelief and words of others. There are many factors that can stand in the way of us embracing God’s best for how our desires, interests, gifts and talents intersect to lead us in how our lives are to be used for his glory.
Every time you do what you love doing, do others encourage you?
Without knowing our purpose, we miss out on so many opportunities. We live insignificantly less than the significance God has given our lives. We believe that our lives don’t matter.
Here are some ideas that help me to know if I am meant to be doing something.
- I believe that if you love doing something; if it excites you-or it fills your cup; you are passionate about it and are always doing it or open to doing it, that this is something God has created you for. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that “we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When it is your natural inclination to go back to or repeat certain actions and they bear fruit for God’s kingdom, that is prove of it being something God has called you to. God wants us to use what gifts he has given and when we do, he multiplies them. If we don’t, we don’t please Him and he takes it away. (See Matthew 25:14-30)
- What do you do that comes easy to you? I have found that there are things that are very easy for me to do and I pray often about them. I pray often because I want to be doing the Lord’s will and not just what I like to do or find easy. Like Psalms 57:2 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” In my experience God has given many opportunities or opened many doors for me to do the things that I am very comfortable doing. I like people. I am a conversationalist. I am not afraid to speak or sing in large crowds. What do I do? I am a teacher. I am a pastor. I am a conference speaker. I am a worship leader. In any of these roles, I find a happy place.
- Every time you do what you love doing, do others encourage you? There are many things I do from running a business, to teaching and pastoring, to being an author, to officiating. I have used my love and ease of communication in many different ways and platforms and have had it confirmed to me that what I am doing, I am not only good at it but it makes a difference. One example is just recent. I had to officiate a funeral for a teaching colleague’s parent recently. Other teaching colleagues were present and commented on the ease with which I moved in this role. Other attendees that I had never met before couldn’t stop complimenting me on the excellent job. Others spoke of how my words truly brought comfort. Someone even said that I had found my 2nd calling. I answered that it was my first. Why? Because I felt that I was fulfilling the Lord’s will and it was an honour to be used in this way at this time. I have had many comments like this from both those who sit under my words when I preach or lead worship and from those I officiate for in weddings and funerals who do not know me or are not used to me in this role. It feels very good when others confirm through encouragement that what I do makes a difference. And it should. Hebrews 10:24 states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” God intended for encouragement to strengthen us in what we do.
God uses people to speak into our lives to confirm his purposes. What I keep coming back to is the fact that, I am asked to do the things I do, over and over again because there has been fruit produced. Someone’s life was changed not only because I did what I liked, or was good at it but most importantly God chose to use me and I obeyed. God gifts and equips us for a purpose. That purpose is to further his kingdom. Sometimes it is hard to figure out what God wants us to do but most times He just wants us to use what He has given and keep it growing.
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