Looking Behind

If you want to know where to go in the future, then look at your past. I’m not talking about where you used to be in life-if you’re a Christian God’s forgiven your past and given you hope for the future. Rather, the desires, interests, and things you are “good at” early in life are indicators of what has “packed your bag” for in the future. Did you like to fix cars with your dad and tinker with stuff? Maybe you’ll be a mechanic. Love science? Then perhaps you’ll be in the medical field or in research.

“The oak dwells in the acorn. Read your life backward and check your supplies. Relish your moments of success and satisfaction. For in the merger of the two, you find your uniqueness.”

What's in your Bag?

I guess I never really thought about the fact that God gave me unique gifts-yeah I knew it in my head but never stopped to consider it. I think I’ve been going through life choosing the abilities and gifts I thought would suit me, and then asking God to bless it. How backwards is that? God already knows what I’m going to need in life and He’s packed my “bag” perfectly! I don’t need to mess that up, I just need to be willing to unpack my bag.

“You can do something no one else can do

in a fashion no one else can do it”

So unpack the perfect bag that God’s packed for you, not one packed by your parents, your teachers, or even yourself-that’s God’s job.

A "Sweet Spot"?

I've had this book "Cure for the Common Life" (which I definitely recommend) for years and although I had started it, never finished and honestly I couldn't have told you much about what I had read. But I thought it would be a good addition to my devotions, I just didn't realize how good. The first chapter talked about finding your "sweet spot" in life, your uniqueness, your "assignment." That's pretty much exactly where I am right now-trying to find out where God wants me. God's given each of us a unique ability to use for his glory. I want to do everything! But I can't, and God doesn't want me to, he wants me to use my unique abilities to the fullest-and for Him.

"Use your uniqueness (what you do)

To make a big deal out of God (why you do it)

Everyday of your life (where you do it)"

Hey God

hey God,
You told me I could come to You
told me I could talk to You
whenever, about whatever
so here I am right now,
I haven't got a clue
of what I'm tryin' to say, 
how I'm gonna say
I need You

Come, hear me sing!

Up in the treetops high

there chirped a little bird,

a bird of a bright, blue shade

and he sang a glorious song.

“Come listen to me,

come hear me sing

to the glory of my King!

The air is fresh

and the grass is green,

come, hear me sing!”

Low in the summer grass

a cricket sings a song,

a cricket brown and green

and he chirped a glorious song.

“Come listen to me,

come hear me sing

to the glory of my King!

The sun is bright

and the water’s warm,

come, hear me sing!”

Under the autumn leaves

scurried a little mouse,

a mouse so small and gray

and he whispered a glorious song.

“Come listen to me

come hear me sing

to the glory of my King!

The evenings are cool

and the tree limbs are sparse,

come, hear me sing!”

In a hollow tree

an owl sits at night,

a dark gray owl is he

and he screams a glorious song.

“Come listen to me

come hear me sing

to the glory of my King!

The snow is cold

and the forest is white

come, hear me sing!”

Do you see the little lady?

Over by the way?

A little lady dressed in gray.

Her hair is streaked with a silver shine,

And her eyes are soft from time.

This little lady of mine.

Oh Granny, dear

Do you have a story for me to hear?

Of your childhood days, of memories clear?

Go sit by her knee

And you’ll soon see

Why she is so dear to me.

This little lady, so sweet and prim,

Although her eyes, now are dim

She can be stern and sometimes grim.

But I hope someday

When I’m old and gray,

I’ll be that sweet little lady in gray.