"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…" -James 1:17
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
A common question that is asked of any child. Why? Why do we insist on asking 6-year-olds to think 15 years ahead of themselves when all they are really thinking about is the next time they will get to have a happy meal from McDonalds, or get to eat a cookie before dinner.
OR maybe it shows a really awesome characteristic of God. Maybe it shows that He cares that much about us to place desires in our hearts as young as 6 years old. Yes, our dreams are refined as we get older and realize that everyone can't be a singer, actress, or famous athlete, but a desire is there nonetheless. When I was asked this question as a 6-year old, my response was unchanging, a teacher.
After student teaching and the longest 2 weeks of job hunting last year, I was burnt out. I needed a break. I questioned what I really wanted to do with my life. Was teaching it? Was my passion still there, or had it finally run its course?
(Enter stage right: The World Race)
When we got our briefing on what ministry would look like this month we heard that we would be visiting children at various preschools, helping organize donations, do some administrative work, and help build a curriculum for the students in the preschools. I volunteered to help with the curriculum and thought "Okay, I know that I can help with whatever they need for a few days, but then I need to get to the kids. That is what I came here for, right?"
As I sat down to help build this curriculum with a few other girls, I realized something…
I was so happy.
Not just because this was framiliar to me…
Not just because this was easy…
Not just because I knew this was going to be put to good use..
It was because this was what God had gifted me with.
God has gifted me with the passion for teaching. He has gifted me with the vision to see children, wherever they may be in the world, learn how to count, spell, draw, read, play, be imaginative, and love them through the entire process.
The best part? I get to use what God has gifted me with for His glory! I didn't expect sitting on a living room floor, in Swaziland, talking about curriculum would bring so much joy to my heart, but that is how awesome God is. He took a desire and passion of mine that I was convinced had left for good, and grew it to show me that He wants to use my gift in His Kingdom.
Now let me ask you,
What has God gifted you with?
What are your passions?
What are your dreams?
Find out. Then use your gift for the glory of the Glorious One.
