Living Changed: PurposeSample

Gifts from God

Have you ever stopped to consider how all the pieces of your life fit together? Whether you realize it or not, God put certain things in your path and gave you opportunities to strengthen different skills, so that He could prepare you for your purpose. 

As a 30-year-old woman, I remember thinking back on my cheerleading years and wondering how it connected to my adult life. For 13 years, from kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I cheered for my school and led pep rallies. As an adult, I couldn’t see the reason God had for giving me those experiences. 

Not long after that, I went to a conference where I heard women speak passionately about leading others to Christ. I thought to myself, “I want to do that someday.” Right then, God connected the dots for me. Because of cheerleading, I’m comfortable in front of large crowds and able to hold their attention. In all those years, God had been preparing me for the role He created for me.

Every one of your life experiences makes you uniquely you. Consider the natural talents God has given you, the different opportunities you’ve had, and the skills you’ve acquired. Think about where you grew up, where you’ve traveled, what you’ve learned. Maybe you understand different cultures and can relate to people around the world, or maybe you create art that inspires and moves people to action. The various experiences you’ve had in your life may seem irrelevant on their own, but together, they’re leading you toward something meaningful that you can use to glorify God. 

We see this in the book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman who is in the unique position to save her people from mass genocide. Even as the wife and queen of the Persian King, she didn’t see herself as special or more important to God’s plan than anyone else. She was just doing her best to survive. But because of who she was, where she lived, the time she lived in, who she had influence with, and the wisdom God gave her, He used her to save the Israelites from death.

There’s no question that God has given you skills, talents, education, financial power, status, or influence that is special to you. The question is how you will use it. You don’t have to be in full-time ministry to do God’s work. You can work for God in business or in the home, with many or with few. Most of us won’t be famous someday, but we all have circles of influence and unique gifts that those in our circle of influence need. Ask God to reveal how these things equip you for His purpose.

God, thank you for everything you’ve given me and for every opportunity you’ve placed in my path. Show me all the strengths, characteristics, learnings, influence, and provisions you’ve given me that are unique to me. Reveal how they all come together to point to your purpose for my life. I want to use the things in my past for your Kingdom. Help me bring glory and honor to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.