You have everything you need to fulfill your purpose.
Thank God and Don’t Waste another Moment
If we could understand one fact, if we could but broaden our perspective, think bigger and let love have its way with us, we could eliminate so many unnecessary disturbances among ourselves. And not only that, but we could also help each other realize our better selves with greater peace and joy.
The fact is, God made each one of us just right. We all have our ideal, and only when we realize it are we content and happy.
“Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” Psalm 139 “It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place.” Psalm 87
Trouble starts when we compare ourselves with one another from an egocentric point of view. When we use ourselves or others as a yardstick for measuring the “I’m superior” quotient.
We look at someone and admire a physical trait: beautiful hair or lots of hair, slender body, strong build, perfect teeth or pretty face. Soon, our admiration changes to envy or we feel sorry for ourselves for what we lack.
Or, we see the different abilities others have that we wish we had: terrific speaker or preacher, great thinker, talented musician, fine artist, inspired writer, great cook, handyman for all needs, technical guru, sought-out counselor or confessor, influential teacher, etc. Before long, we forget all the good that is part of our makeup.
Or, perhaps, we might think that with all our great qualities there’s no doubt we’re superior to everybody else. “Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like others. I pray and read scripture everyday. I am faithful to all my devotions. I am influential in the community. My lot is a good one thanks to all my efforts.”
With this outlook, our whole thinking goes off track as we see talents and capabilities as something to possess or amass for ourselves and a way to outdo others. Life becomes a contest for affirmation and approval – or rising to the top.
The person who knows he is loved by God quells all these desperate moves within, and by loving others, can put them at ease and show them they are valuable because they are alive.
And so we go about building up the Kingdom of God, not through an mutual admiration society, but by living in love and doing the will of God with God, using all our God-given abilities.
“As generous distributors of God’s manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received. The one who speaks is to deliver God’s message. The one who serves is to do it with the strength provided by God. Thus, in all of you God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
The Spirit of God apportions different gifts to all in a perfect manner to serve the collective body of Christ. And it is that same Spirit that will bring our personal gifts – our very lives in their unique journeys – to a natural conclusion, as well as a supernatural end.
We must not let envy creep in and blind us to the talents specifically chosen by God for our mission in life. Our talents and innate abilities were tailor made for us. We must, therefore, recognize them and develop them. And encourage others to develop theirs. That is how we properly give thanks to and glorify the Giver of all good gifts.
We were not to be given everything as individuals, yet, when we succumb to greed or pride, we want it all. Not one of us born with original sin was created to be the Star of the universe.
There is a humbling Divine Economy always at work wherein God provides for our needs through the collective gifts and actions of many. If we want to participate in and fully engage the Divine Economy, we have to understand who we are and our role in the grand scheme of things.
Unfortunately, understanding who we are as God created us is not that simple. Many confuse their original self with what they have become over the years because of negative influences and erroneous conclusions. And, as a true testament to the imbalance in creation and separation from God’s perfect designs, many these days confuse their lusts and passions with their true identity.
If we ask the Holy Spirit to come and enlighten us, we will see all things in their proper light. If we ask, the Holy Spirit will nurture us in all that we are and bring our gifts to their fullest development. We must not doubt that God wants it.
Envy, by contrast, compels many to force unnatural changes upon themselves. They are so busy trying to become what they aren’t or possess what they don’t have that they miss the whole point of their life. The envious become ungrateful for the gifts they already have, saying to God they are not good enough, that He must have made a mistake when deciding who got what.
It reminds me of waking up one Christmas morning and seeing some of the unwrapped gifts under the Christmas tree that belonged to others and that I wanted for myself – in spite of the fact there were plenty for me. In fact, I couldn’t really even see or appreciate what was mine because I was so fixated on what my siblings had received. And when it came time to receive my presents, my attitude spoiled the moment. Because I was not grateful, I couldn’t enjoy what was mine to enjoy.
Coveting the abilities of others only makes us sad and can cause us to treat those we envy unjustly. Envy is a huge distraction and keeps us from getting on with our lives.
What a wonderful and energizing discovery it is when we finally awaken to God’s plan and start living our own life in all its uniqueness. How liberating it is when I come to realize it’s not about me or others, but about cooperating with God in my own unique way to bring His plans to fruition. And, even if we can’t grasp his plans fully in the moment, they always exceed what we can imagine if we continue to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
This realization truly sets me free – free from comparing myself with others or others with myself – whether it’s someone at work, school, church, in my family or even a saint. Then, I can be blessing to others. When I am who I’m supposed to be, doing what God wants me to, I am not only happy and at peace, but I’m also in the right place at the right time to help others.
When we get synchronized with the Holy Spirit, our life takes on a new balance and sense of order – which can only add harmony and peace to the rest of the world. Then, we can rejoice in the gifts of others because we are faithful to our own, and see everything as contributing to something much larger and grander for the benefit of all.