What the World Needs

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Howard Thurman

I listened in on a conference call yesterday afternoon to a writing "expert" being interviewed. She said that the biggest mistake that writers make is that they write a book without doing their market research to determine what is not being written about. She said you don't want to write about something that has been frequently written about.

On the surface, this makes sense. If you are writing your book for financial gain that sounds like pretty good advice. However, I believe the best advice would be to write what you're passionate about.

The same is true about what we do in life. That's why I love Howard Thurman's quote above so much. He's got it right. Each of us are wired in a unique way. We were crafted this way by God because He wants us to use the gifts and abilities He has given us to do the things that make us come alive while serving Him and others. When someone is operating in their "sweet spot," everyone is better off...that person and the world.

So when's the last time you asked yourself the question, "What makes me come alive?"

Gifts

Have you ever marvelled at what some people can do? Maybe it was a speaker at a conference who really moved you. Perhaps it was someone neatly painting your house. Or maybe it was your child playing an instrument of some kind. Check out this short video above to see a fifth grader with some obvious God-given gifts.

The Bible tells us that we have each been given gifts and my gifts will not be the same as your gifts. We are each to use our gifts to glorify God and we are not to be jealous of the gifts others possess.

You may feel like you don't have a lot to offer. You might not feel particularly gifted. But you are! God has wired you the way He has on purpose and He wants to use you! It may be using your gifts behind the scenes which is just as important as being up on stage speaking to a large audience.

I encourage you to seek out a class on spiritual gifts at your church or in your community to determine your gift mix if you don't already know. Lean into Him and use what He has given you!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8