As children, we are often told we can be anything we want to be. We are encouraged to dream big with no limitations, aspiring to reach professions such as being an astronaut, professional athlete or brain surgeon. There are many people who turn these dreams into a reality, but there are many others who get lost along the way.
We live in a world that strives for success and is filled with people who are willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. It can be tempting to climb the ladder and continue to chase the next best thing, which we tend to believe will leave us feeling satisfied. Have you ever wondered why a new job, promotion, fancy car or salary raise will not sustain our happiness or fulfill us for long?
It is because our identity is not supposed to be found in material or worldly things. Your true identity and purpose are found in the way God made you and in who He created you to be. Psalm 139 tells us that through God we are “fearfully and wonderfully” made.
Identity and purpose are deeply connected, and your identity serves a unique purpose in God’s plan for the world. He made you on purpose. Why strive to be a square peg in a round hole when there is a place and purpose for you as a perfect fit?
While you can certainly strive for anything, your perfect fit is to be who He created you to be. Unlike the popular messages of today, happiness is not found in doing whatever you want, it is found in doing exactly what you were created to do. There is nothing better than knowing you’re a perfect fit. God has granted each of us specific talents and gifts that make us unique individuals.
Spend time understanding what these are and use them to serve God’s Kingdom to the best of your ability rather than feeling limited by certain skills that are not your strong suit. Reflect on scripture, take note of your interests and what skills you have in those areas as well as talking with the people who know you best to seek advice on where they see you perfectly fitting in.
He desires to use you for His mission of love, care, compassion and transformation throughout the world. You were made for this, by the Creator, who carefully designed all things.
Accept the challenge of living each day focused on sharing God’s love in the world, as only you can. Fight the danger of placing your identity in the things of this world that will never fully sustain our happiness. No one else can be who God created you to be.
Geoff Peters serves as the global chief marketing officer of Operation Mobilization and most recently authored “The Family Business: A Parable about Stepping Into the Life You Were Made For,” releasing on Oct. 5. To learn more, please visit: www.theFamilyBusinessParable.com.