Embracing Your Unique Gifts and God’s Plan

This blog post is inspired by Lisa Barry’s heartfelt Facebook post. Here’s what Lisa had to say:

This is the time of year when the awards are handed out for high scores in academics and sports, but I want to have just a private moment for all the kids who didn’t get celebrated at all.

You need to know our educational system rewards a certain type of student with a certain set of talents and skills. But there are so many more as evidenced by the fact that some of the people running the largest companies, flunked out of school or just quit because their gifts were different! They didn’t fit the mold. Maybe you’re still figuring out your “why”. Maybe you’re still trying to discover what to do with the tools in YOUR tool chest. All you know is they’re not the same tools as everybody else.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made! And God is going to roll out the purpose of your life a little bit at a time. He hands out awards differently than the world does so lift up your head, throw your shoulders back and look to Him. He’s applauding, he’s working, he’s preparing you. He wrote your DNA and it’s priceless!

Lisa Barry

Have you ever really thought about award ceremonies in this way? Highlighting the talents and skills of a select few while leaving others feeling unnoticed and undervalued. If you or someone you know is struggling with feeling unnoticed or undervalued, remember that God’s perspective is different from the world’s. Each of us is uniquely made, a masterpiece created by God. Let’s talk about this some more.

Discovering Your Unique Gifts

We all have different gifts and talents. Some might excel in traditional academics, others in creative arts, empathy, or problem-solving. Lisa makes a great point that the world often rewards specific skills, but God’s gifts are diverse and equally valuable.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Romans 12.6-8 NLT

Turning Shortcomings into Purpose

You may have heard or experienced your own stories where perceived shortcomings eventually led to a revelation of deeper purpose. Consider the story of Moses. He initially doubted his ability to lead because he wasn’t a great speaker. Yet, God used him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt! Showing that our weaknesses can become strengths when we trust in God’s plan.

Here’s another inspiring story. Thomas Edison, the one who invented the light bulb, was told by his teachers that his brain was “addled” (mentally slow). Edison’s mother decided to homeschool him after his teachers’ harsh assessment. She nurtured his curiosity and creativity. Later Edison would invent the lightbulb, despite facing numerous failures. The light bulb moment in Edison’s life included over 1,000 unsuccessful attempts, but he didn’t give up and became one of the greatest inventors of all time!

God’s Plans Are Bigger Than We Can Imagine

Let’s be honest, it’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t receive the recognition we feel we deserve or when we hear “no” more than “yes.” But what if we truly believed that God’s plans for us are far greater than we can imagine?

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29.11 NLT

When doors close or we face rejection, it can be challenging to stay positive. But what if we practiced seeing these moments as a bigger picture that God is painting for our lives? Just as a tapestry looks like a mess of threads from the back, when you flip it over, the front reveals a beautiful picture. Our lives may seem confusing and messy now, but God sees the completed masterpiece.

Overcoming the Comparison Trap

It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap these days. Especially with social media highlighting the best moments of others’ lives. But as Lisa Barry’s Facebook post beautifully puts it:

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made! And God is going to roll out the purpose of your life a little bit at a time.”

Comparing yourself to others can lead to feeling inadequate. Instead, focus on your own personal journey and trust God has a unique plan for you. And if you find yourself feeling unnoticed or undervalued, remember that God’s timing is perfect. He is preparing you for something extraordinary. Lift your head, pull your shoulders back, look up to God, and give thanks for the plans He has for your life. He’s applauding. He’s working. He’s preparing you for the incredible plans He has in store.

Take heart and find comfort in knowing that you are a masterpiece created by God.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2.10 NLT

Celebrate your unique gifts, trust in His plans, and avoid the comparison trap. God rewards differently than the world does. He sees your worth, even when others might not.