How Then Shall We Live?

If you have heard of Gallup Strengths, you might know about how people have various talent themes in their lives. These talents come naturally to them, but as they practice using them and become more intentional, they become great strengths.

My top five talent themes are Positivity, Empathy, Woo, Developer, and Communication. I love my strengths and I use them prolifically as a people lover. I can get on the elevator, strike up a quick conversation, and make someone’s day. I find the good in life and generally believe that things will work out. This does not mean that I do not see what is wrong in this world. Rather, it means I see what is wrong, but I am also able to find the good in the situation and see where the positives are. This can drive my pessimistic friends batty, but I have learned to “downshift” my strengths when I am around them. As well, I can only be around negative people or events for a short span of time because it sucks my positivity dry.

With all the recent events that are going on with lockdowns, people dying of Covid, and the long overdue strong fight for social justice, I have had to come to grips with how I am designed by God. I have also realized my God-given purpose.

Last week, I got so down about the world. I kept watching the news and reading the comments between strangers on social media who seemed to be enemies without even meeting each other. It drug me to a deep pit. I decided to go for a walk. On my walk, I noticed a row of trees. Most of them had sprouted their leaves and were in full bloom, but two stood dry and bare with no such sign of life. They will need to be cut down at some point, I’m sure. But it was at that moment that I heard God speak to me, “Kathy, quit watering dead trees.” That word went deep into my soul, partly because my purpose in life is to “Live as the Beloved and water souls with the truth of God’s Word and help His Kingdom grow.” I water! I encourage people with my positivity and have the ability to change the atmosphere of most places I go with God’s Spirit in me and the gifts He’s given me. But here was God telling me to save my water for living things and to quit wasting it.

Although God is able to resurrect the dead, I do not have that capacity, so I need to move past them and water the living hearts instead. This is my God-given purpose and He was reminding me of that on my walk.

Since then, I feel my soul has filled a little and I am very protective of the drops of water (truth, love, joy, hope) He has placed in my bucket. I refuse to waste them on dead things—watching the news, trying to help people who won’t change, and doing things outside of my God-given purpose. I know I am called to change the world, but I have to do it with the tools God gave me or I will be of no help to anyone and the positivity, which is my gift to others, will be drained and I will be left with nothing to offer.

What about you? What might you be watering that is dead? What can you decide to do today to live your God-given purpose (if you aren’t already) to change the world? If you don’t know your purpose, start today to discover why you were created. You have a part to play. Ask God why He designed you and what he designed you to do. You can also read Directions for Living, by Coach Brian Williams. This book will lead you through a step by step process to write your purpose, mission, and vision statement for your life.

God bless you as you live a life that matters.