Using Our Gifts

A common topic that comes up when young people are talking about faith and their future is “Am I doing what God intended me to do”? I commonly ask myself that as well. Sometimes I question if I'm entering into the correct field for a future job or if I'm meant to be with the person I'm dating or even if I'm living up to the potential that God has for me. All these questions are really anxiety filled and the thoughts surrounding them are very scary, so we ignore them. To an extent, I think that is okay when we are navigating college, because it's a time of trial and error and overall learning. Although college is like a safe zone for the bigger picture questions, there will come a time when they need to be thought about, but for now there is no use stressing. Instead of worrying so much about the future and what we hope to be and achieve in life, I think it's time we live in the present and focus on what we can control. When tasked with living in the present, I think it is most important to think about the gifts that God has given each of us. This could mean physical gifts like a safe home, an education, or food at every meal. This could also mean the gifts He has given us in terms of athletic talent, artistic talent, musical talent. A final way to think about the gifts that God has given us, is the gifts that commonly can go unnoticed or under appreciated. These gifts could include being a good friend in times of trouble, being the first to volunteer our time when it's needed, or being the one who makes everyone laugh on a bad day. All these categories of gifts serve a purpose in God's eyes. We are each created in the image of God and have the potential to truly do anything we set our minds to if we trust God during the journey. It's hard to imagine what God has in store for us and our future, because His plan is so much bigger and greater than us. If we trust God, live in the present, and remain faithful, there really is no reason to be worried about the future. Each person is unique and has their own gifts from God to share with the world. It's time we use our gifts and become the person God intends for us to be while we can instead of worrying so much about the future.