I used to dream of being an electrical engineer, but I wasn’t good at math. I dreamed of being an artist, but I couldn’t draw. I dreamed of being a spy, but I probably talk way too much. In his book Strengths Finder, Tom Rath compiles ten years of research by the Gallop organization to again prove what we already know from God’s word. He puts it this way in his book, “You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.” God said it through Paul long before Mr. Rath said it. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that each person is given spiritual gifts by God. Each gift is important. His analogy of spiritual gifts being like parts of our body implies that each part needs to function with the strengths it has been given. The eye should not try to be the ear and visa-versa.
Often the conventional wisdom in America is that you can be anything you want to be if you just try hard enough. The idea is that you should strive to overcome your weakness and after time, energy and effort, you will excel in that area. In his book, Strengths Finder, Rath alludes to the movie Rudy in which the main character works like crazy for several years in order to overcome his natural weaknesses and gain a few minutes of national attention when he was able to play for Notre Dame’s football team. The author makes the point that if Rudy would have put all those hours of persistent pursuit and effort toward excelling at his strength’s instead of trying to overcome his weakness, just imagine what Rudy could have accomplished.
Now, let’s think again about the Biblical analogy. If the eye tries to overcome its weakness in hearing or the ears try really really hard to see, the body would not be helped. If instead, each does that for which God made, strengthened and intended it, the body flourishes.
The point is that each of us has been given gifts of strengths and abilities by God. Find out what your strengths are and use your energy and effort to utilize those strengths for the glory of God and the good of others. Don’t get discouraged or frustrated about your weaker areas (obviously I am not referring to character weakness or sinful weakness). Don’t compare yourself with others or be jealous of their gifts, but instead understand that God has a plan to use you and your strengths for His Kingdom and glory. Furthermore, you’ll be most fulfilled when you are operating and utilizing the strengths you have been given. When you are being who you are and not striving to be something you are not in relation to your strengths and gifts,you are on the right road toward usefulness and enjoyment in life.
Pick up a copy of Strenghs Finder and take the online test to find out more about your personal strengths. You may also want to take a spiritual gifts test online by clicking here.
Tags: career advice, college choice, Decision making, direction, Finding God's will, future, God's will college, Life ambition, planning