TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

When I got married, my waistline was around 30 inches; through the years, it grew, and now I’m a size 35. Imagine if I went out and bought a new pair of denim while motivating myself to be still in my previous size or something lower than I am today. I may squeeze into the new pants, but I would look ridiculous and uncomfortable. This happens when we wear something that is not the right fit for us.

Many people settle on a profession, business, or ministry in the same way; they tolerate instead of thrive. If they can find something they can squeeze into without much hassle, they will take it. They would rather be average than excel because excellence requires a lot of hard work and discipline. In other words, the work does not fit their gifting; therefore, fulfillment is not achieved.

Can you imagine Bill Gates slam-dunking and Lebron James working in a 9 am to 5 pm job? How about Mark Zuckerberg in the Wimbledon tennis competition and Rafael Nadal founding a social media site? It would be unthinkable, even ridiculous. Why? Because it is not their fit.

Moreover, children who were forced by their parents to take up a specific path because of perceived greener pastures find themselves with odd jobs and are depressed. We usually hear these statements, “You can do what you like as a hobby, but to survive life, you need to do as I say,” or “Look at us! This is what we pursued, and we succeeded.” Imagine if Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao followed their parent’s advice not to pursue boxing as a career? We need to ask for wisdom and discernment when it comes to parenting our children.

This scenario is not different from being God’s worker. Not all pastors are a “fit” to become one. Just because one studied in a seminary or when parents are pastors means a person is automatically a pastor. An individual should be called to be one. Instead of being the shepherds of flocks, those who are not fit may become dividers. 

With all these, we can ask what made people excel in their respective fields? They went into careers fitted for their gifting, which made them unique—comparing will not help in this area. For many years, there have been many speculations about the next Michael Jordan; even Kobe Bryant was linked to that. In the end, there can only be one Jordan and one Bryant. So we might as well stop being depressed if we are not like our idols; we cannot be like them. Living someone else’s life and dream is the fastest and most consistent path to an unfulfilling, unrewarding, and frustrating existence.

Understanding and discovering our gifts help answer a lot of questions like “What’s God’s will for my life?”, “What should my career path or ministry be?” “Where do I fit?” Our God has given us gifts and unique talents which show His plan for our lives. Every Christian is called to serve the cause of Christ, but our gifts and talents determine how God wants us to serve Him—through a full-time ministry or in the marketplace.

Don’t try to fit your life with what others have; their purpose will never fit yours. God has a purpose for us that fits our life. We all have the winner in us. When we discover what fits us without comparing ourselves with others, we can live our lives to the fullest.

REFLECTION

As parents and leaders, we want our children and people to be happy and fulfilled. We have good intentions, and we want them to feel significant and valuable. The only problem was we can’t give the things and advice that we don’t have; thus, we offer something we know, and sometimes it is inadequate. However, that is not an excuse to neglect our parents’ and leaders’ advice. Most often, God talks to us through them, but discovering our own purpose (how we “fit” in God’s plan) and developing them for God’s glory is our responsibility.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to learn and trust in You wholeheartedly. Thank You for the gifts and talents that You graciously gave me. Please help me not look at others and envy their gifts. Help me to discover mine and know Your purpose for me. Help me understand how I fit and use them for Your glory alone in Christ’s name, amen.