I was talking with a dear friend the other day about our God given talents. How He gives us each something we are naturally good at doing. We had a good conversation and I went away thinking about this some more.
I believe that yes, we are given “talents” and we are to use those talents. However I believe that what He has actually planted in us are the seeds of desire or passion for certain things… whether it’s helping others, cooking, baking, art, music, healing, surgery, speaking, building, sports or any other number of interests.
We aren’t good at all things. However if there’s a seed of desire that means it’s worth getting out there to explore the options. It’s worth taking a class to find out if it truly is our calling. It takes courage to do that and we will never know if we don’t get out there!
When I was a kid… I tried every sport at the YMCA. I didn’t stick with anything very long but it was long enough to find out whether I liked it or not. Karate… I couldn’t hit my teacher so I stopped (he wanted us to practice); Swimming… I can swim but I had no intention to become some pro swimmer so I stopped when I reached the skill level I needed. Racquetball, softball, soccer and on and on. It’s not that I don’t like it… it just wasn’t for me.
In college some friends invited me to take some horseback riding lessons and I went. I’ve always loved horses! When I moved to go to UF I found the equestrian team when looking for an instructor to continue lessons. I joined the team and rode for 3 years and loved every minute! It took until college to find it but I kept at my search and I kept trying out different things.
Another leap… I was working at an Architect because I wanted to be one… or so I thought. In fact, to get the job I had written every architect in Tampa asking for anything … errand runner, phone answering just to be in the industry! One company gave me a chance. I loved the job and I later got into UF for Architecture … a difficult program to get into. I still loved it but it still wasn’t quite me. I kept searching and finally found Graphic Design Technology and 15 years ago I put in my 2 weeks and started my company!
Talk about a leap of faith!! My desire was to help people through my creativity. And now I AM an architect… one that loves building in a whole different way than I had imagined at the time.
By following God’s lead, exploring different things, every step led to the next one and even built on the last one. Looking back I honestly didn’t know the whole path. However I can see now how each experience is tied together to bring me here! It’s really very exciting when you think about it!
I believe that’s what God wants for us. To listen to the tugs of our heart, His whisper guiding us and have the courage to take a leap.
The courage is in the listening to those God-given desires and feeding them by taking the courses or learning from a mentor to hone our skills. It’s in the getting out there to give it a chance. He’s gifted us with a seed in our hearts.
One of my favorite songs that reminds me to just Leap is Matthew West’s, “All In”
So do you have something you’ve always loved and maybe you feel you aren’t that good at it but you love it… it feeds your soul and lifts your spirit? What are you passionate about?
Then get out there and give it a go!! I’m agree with what my mom always said … “you won’t know unless you try” and “you can do whatever you put your mind to!”
She’s right. What you put your focus on you can most certainly do! Go all in and let go of your fears!
Are you already living your passion? If so, how did you get started and get where you are today? I want to hear your stories!
