Saturday, June 17, 2017

The Embrace

"Finding your sweet spot means embracing the God-given talents you already have, (rather than the ones you wish you had)." (Ruth Soukup)

Do you realize that you were created by a loving Heavenly Father for a specific reason? Have you figured out your God-ordained purpose yet?

“For we are God’s masterpiece created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10, ISV)
“People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved and people are being used.”  (John Green, author of Looking for Alaska)

Anytime you need to figure out the purpose of something, make your beginning point your loving Heavenly Father. Remember, you were made for God’s purpose (and not the reverse).

“He made everything in the sky and on the earth. He made the things which can be seen and the things which cannot be seen. That means angels, kings, great powers, and rulers. They were all made by Him and for Him.(Colossians 1:16, New Testament WE)


“If all men are made in God's reflection, then why do some people continue to acknowledge only what is in their part of the mirror? If every man was created equal and in the image of God, then how can any man claim that one race is better than another?” (Suzy Kassem, author of Rise up and Salute the Sun: the Writings of Suzy Kassem)


One fact is certain: your primary aim in life is always to adore and glorify your loving Heavenly Father.

“For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore. (Romans 11:35, TLB)

“When your life is filled with the desire to see the holiness in everyday life, something magical happens. Ordinary life becomes extraordinary, and the very process of life begins to nourish your soul.”  (Rabbi Harold Kushner)

It’s crucial to serve others with the unique gifts a loving Heavenly Father has bestowed on you to be used for Him.

“Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. (1 Peter 4:10, VOICE)

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” (Dalai Lama)

 The design God has given for your life will determine your happiness and the direction your life will ultimately take. (Don’t allow others to make this important decision for you, but instead listen only to a loving Heavenly Father’s voice in your heart.)

“Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. (Galatians 6:4, CEB)

“We determine our destiny by the actions we take today.” (Catherine Pulsifer)



I think we each have a personal sweet spot as well. It's the state of mind in which we experience the most joy and satisfaction in being ourselves. And from that place of pleasure and joy in being ourselves, energy arises to flow out into our day bringing with it the depth and resonance of our own beingness, bringing with it blessing.” (David Spangler) [i]


[i] Inspired by the sermon “Made in Heaven” Sunday, June 11, 2017 Pastor Dave Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.

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