What are you good at? I mean, really good. What skills or abilities are your most valuable assets? Before you respond to that, give it some real thought. Don’t answer with what you wish was true. Consider your most outstanding character traits.
Sitting down to write this I asked myself the same question. What am I good at? Sometimes I find it easier to list the things at which I don’t excel. Why is it easier to identify my shortcomings, rather than risk being challenged on what I vulnerably confess is a strength?
I’m not good at sports. (There’s good reason I was always the last choice when kids chose teams in elementary school.) I’m terrible at returning library books by the due date, and I’ve never quite mastered the discipline of putting my debit card back in its place every single time. However, I am good at developing systems and processes, I can make vacuum sweeper marks in the carpet as if it were an Olympic sport, and I can interject a hint of humor into most situations.
What are you good at? (And why am I asking?)
I wonder if it’s just me—proficient at a few things, but not always great at what matters most. In a recent book I read, Bob Goff made a similar statement, and it sent me on a rabbit trail of thought. What am I good at? And furthermore, are the items on my list of personal assets even important?
The humbling answer is not always. I doubt my frugal shopping habits are going to lead anyone to Christ, despite the fact I’m really good at it. Nothing furry is growing in my refrigerator, thanks to the hour I spent last weekend cleaning it, but does anyone in my house love Jesus more because of it? No. So much of my energy and pride has been spent on things that have no eternal value.
Our personal strengths are made to advance his Kingdom, not ours.
Stop dwelling on your areas of weaknesses, and boldly consider what you’re good at! We all have gifts and talents to share with the world—skills and abilities with potential to encourage, inspire, and help others. How can you put your greatest assets to work to serve the body of Christ more effectively?
Are you a good cook? Make a meal for someone in your neighborhood. Are you a good teacher? Lead a small group to study God’s Word (after we’re done with COVID-19 social distancing, of course. Are you good at offering encouragement? Call a struggling friend to cheer her up. Put what he has gifted you with to work!
Take inventory of your greatest assets and evaluate how you are using them to impact the Kingdom of God. If we aren’t mindful of doing everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), we might find we’re just wasting our time on activities that amount to nothing.
What would your life be like if you asked God to give you eyes to see where He is at work in your life? Don’t waste your life chasing things that don’t matter—even if you’re really good at it.
About Kim Heinecke
Kim Heinecke wants to live in a world where children listen to the advice of their mothers without question. As a former single mom she’s been encouraging women using her life experiences in parenting, growing in the Word of God and everything in between. When she’s not negotiating with a teenager or wrestling a pre-schooler, you can find her camping in the family RV or pretending to understand sports with her husband and four sons. Read more from Kim at www.TheMomExperiment.com.