So, I have these questions tumbling around my head. I have been reading a book on leadership recently, and one of the author's premises is that we should lead from our giftedness. In other words, lead the way God made you or gifted you.
Not that this idea is astonishing or even an original idea I haven't heard before. No, it was just what happened when I read through part of this book.
I realized that I spend a large percentage of my time thinking about my weaknesses not my strengths. This carries over even to my ministry, not just my own personal life. I think about what things need to be improved instead of celebrating the areas where God is working and moving.
Why am I hesitant to celebrate these successes?
Why am I so out of focus? It is so easy to celebrate the gifts of others, but do we celebrate our own giftedness? Or even better do we let other people celebrate our giftedness?
Kids are great at this. They say things like, "I am so fast at Math. Only Amelia is as fast as me. But Amy, she is the best artist. And Joseph he is the funniest." They celebrate each other's gifts. They know their own abilities, and they don't hesitate to share those gifts with others.
Celebrate your giftedness.
And celebrate the gifts and talents of those around you.
But don't forget to celebrate your gifts, talents, and successes.
Start here.
How has God gifted you? What successes have you had in ministry? Let's celebrate together.
Monday, November 28, 2005
A bit out of focus...
Posted by Ashlee Liddell at 7:33 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Good thoughts there, esp since I tend to be rather self-depricating and overly deferential to those around me. But if I'd have to talk about my gifts at all, I'd ask you to go read my blogs. They're my greatest joy and greatest source of hope these days, esp working for my church writing children's curriculum.
i think sometimes it's human nature for us to focus on the negative because we grow up with the idea that if we talk about how good we are at something we are considered "conceited". this is unfortunate because maybe if more of us were able to focus more on the wonderful gifts God has given us...the world just might be a little happier.
along this line...i think that is also why it is so hard for people to accept generosity or words of encouragement (even though we all actually crave encouragement). i admit it is very difficult for me to say "thank you" when someone does compliment me (even though secretly inside i'm beaming) be it for something i did or said.
i guess what i'm trying to say here, my ashlee, is that i too wonder why we don't focus more on the gifts God has given us instead of all the negative...it leaves me thinking...
love you, friend :)
I used to be so proud to be in the leadership in my church. It became a terrible idol....I think I'm a decent speaker, but I avoid it because it causes me to be prideful.
I think my greatest gift God has given me is a servant's heart. I love to help others...I love to encourage others. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with a good job that I can afford to help others.
N, I have really enjoyed visiting your blogs, and love to hear they are such a source of hope for you. I would love to chat with you about the curriculum you write for your church (being in children's ministry myself).
Terrip, you successfully commented without celebrating any of your giftedness...one thing I love about you the most Terri, is how faithfully you have waited on God without compromise. And I love the joy you possess and gift you have of making others feel welcome and comfortable in their own skin.
Tmproff...do you feel like speaking is a gift God gave you? I am personally thankful for your gift of encouragement in my own life, and I am sure countless others are as well. Thanks.
Thanks to the work God has done in my life over the past few years, I am beginning to be happy to be the person God made me to be. Not to say I don't wish I had other people's gifts or talents on occasion, and not to say I'm not continually striving to be better (in the sense of becoming more of the person God intends me to be). But I really am beginning to accept and be thankful for the way God made me - emotionally, intellectually, physically, spiritually. And that has all been God's doing, through very special, very dear friends. Though I admit, often my knee-jerk reaction still is to not accept compliments/credit for something I've done.
(There, did that answer your question Ashlee?) :)
Well, then, Ms. Ashlee, feel free to e-mail me so that we can discourse and discuss Children's curriculum for Children's ministry.
Ber,
I love the way God made you! And I learn so much from your joy and celebration of who He made you. You are someone who I think of often as being comfortable in their own skin.
Love you!
(You did a great job answering the question!!!!)
N,
Where might one find your email address if they were interested in the mentioned children's curriculum conversation?
If speaking is a gift from God, its one that I feel I need to lay at His feet until I get this pride/ego thing under control.
When I become older / wiser and have people that trust me to speak into their lives, then I might use it again.
Until then I try to keep it to a minimum (thats why I love the 1 on 1 conversations).
Ms. Ashlee....
I think that my profile has been effectively updated to reflect the e-mail address by which you can best reach me. I look forward to establishing contact with you in the near future.
Now, doesn't that sound professional?!?
Hehehe....
Tmproff,
Your response itself is very wise... there is a balance we have to acknowledge.
I agree with many points. But in some areas, I feel we need to be more aggressive. Just my opinion. Love ya. wedding jackets pumps christian louboutin. Mother Of Bride
Post a Comment