My six year old was born to run. Since he was a toddler, I’ve loved to see him break into a sprint (which is nearly any time there’s a distance to cover of more than 10 feet). In his mind, he’s usually imagining himself as a train of some sort, but I see a future track star.
Olympic runner and missionary to China, Eric Liddell was also born to run. His famous statement has inspired many, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
I think God has given each of us something special like that. It’s not necessarily a ‘spiritual gift.’ It may or may not even fall into the ‘talent’ category by our modern standards. But there’s some skill or ability that, while perhaps a common feat, is one of those things that when we practice it wholeheartedly, we do feel His pleasure.
It can be easy to let those ‘pleasures’ get lost in the daily responsibilities of life. It’s almost as though we feel guilty ‘indulging’ in them when maybe giving the thing it’s due would bring God pleasure as much as it does us–and the people that we bless in the process.
Some people are born to run, to write, to cook, to mother, to paint, to sing, to dance, to sew, to teach…you’ll know you’ve found your ‘thing’ when you feel the most ‘yourself’ when you’re engaged in it.
What’s your ‘thing?’ How good are you at making space in your life to participate in it? I want to encourage you to find at least a little time each week to do that which you know brings God pleasure. It’s not selfish or self-indulgent; with the right perspective I believe it can be an act of worship.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23
I loved this, Mary! For me, it would be writing and being a mom!