We are each created unique and God has a unique plan for our lives. This is something I believe and often preach, but it is so difficult to put into practice. A mark of true maturity is the point when we learn to “live in our own skin”. This isn’t something that comes naturally, but it is a place that we all should work towards. Instead, though, we work so hard to be like others, when the whole time God has made us the way we are for a specific purpose. In Psalm 139, King David writes this powerful truth: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Have you ever thought that maybe God has made you with all your quirks and talents for a reason? As the above declaration by King David says, we are made by an intentional, purposeful God. You were created with unique skills, talents and yes, quirks to be successful with the unique purpose God has for you. If one day you woke up with your neighbors’ abilities, you would eventually find yourself failing miserably with God’s purpose for your life, because they were not made for you. So as you approach a new year and are wondering what you will become in 2010, can I encourage you not to strive to become like the next big superstar or mega-church pastor? Work hard this year to be the best version of who God’s made you…work to be the real you.
Nick Poole 
Love it, Nicko.
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Good post Nick, glad to see you writing again. I hear your point but it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ask a question.
Have you ever thought about God created us for a purpose but that as long as we are choosing him … we can do what we want?
The Bible doesn’t really talk that much about God’s will for us specifically in terms of talents, but more about how his will is this:
http://iambendavis.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/just-so-you-know-that-you-know/
Let me know your thoughts.
Again great post.
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Hey Ben,
I would say yes and no. Yes, God does give us free will to do what we want in a sense of how we choose to glorify or honor him. But I think He has also gifted each of us in such a way to be successful in certain areas and with certain things.
That’s not to say we can’t develop giftings or skills, but that we are created in a certain way for a certain reason.
In your blog post, I would 100% agree with each of those items. And when it comes to ‘discovering God’s will’ I think we do over-complicate things. I think it’s best to not worry about what is ahead, but do our best with what God’s already told us. What you outlined are great principles for following through with what God has already instructed Christians to be doing.
When it comes to our skill and how we use it, I think there will be multiple things we do throughout our lifetime. Eventually, though, most of us will hopefully find that sweet spot in life where we feel we’re doing what we were created and gifted for. That’s the place where our passions, talents and relational connections all overlap. Some will find that place in their 30’s, some not until their 50’s and still some may unfortunately never make the effort to find that place in their lifetime. In that respect, yes I do think there are at least clear directions in life we were created for.
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