Discovering Your Gifts

God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.

Ephesians 2:10 (CEV)

As a teen, you’ve likely heard this question more than once: What do you want to do for a career when you’re older?

For some kids, that question seems easy to answer. The star athlete wants to play professional sports. The lead in the school musical wants to go to Broadway. The fashionista wants to design a clothing line.

But a lot of kids feel like they don’t have anything special to offer the world: no talents or gifts, nothing that really sets them apart as special. Maybe you feel this way. You might look at other kids and think, “I don’t have what they have.”

The truth is, God gave everyone special gifts—unique gifts designed just for them. If you don’t see yours, that’s only because you haven’t discovered it yet. Keep trying new things and open your mind to consider things you’re good at that aren’t the typical talents that people earn medals and trophies for.

Are you a caring person? You could make an incredible nurse or doctor. Are you very good with math? You could make a great engineer to design bridges or cars. Do you like decorating your bedroom in unique ways? You could be an interior designer.

God gave you gifts you can use to bring him joy. And you don’t have to wait until you graduate or get a job to start using those gifts for him. You can use them today!

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

It can be hard to know what special gifts God has given us. Sometimes we are better at seeing the gifts in other people than we can in ourselves. This week, ask a few people close to you to answer the questions below. Write down their responses on paper or in a journal. God may reveal to you the special gifts he gave you that you don’t even recognize are so special! (Hint: They really are special!)

Questions: What am I good at? What do you think are my special gifts?

INSPIRATION

“If, in the quiet of your heart, you feel something should be done, stop and consider whether it is in line with the character and teaching of Jesus. If so, obey that impulse and do it, and in doing so you will find it was God guiding you.”

—Eric Liddell, Olympic runner and missionary, whose story was told in the movie Chariots of Fire

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Exodus 35:30–34

2 Samuel 22:33–35

1 Kings 4:29, 32, 33

Hebrews 10:24