“I don’t ever want to repent that I gave you gifts that you did not use.”
These words rang in my spirit as I sought to understand why I continued to struggle with getting on track and staying on track with Purpose. Distracted by the typical and not-so-typical challenges that often threatened my sensibilities. Whether I was currently dealing with an issue, coming out of a storm or unknowingly heading into one, the reality is that LIFE happens. Issues tend to present themselves at the most inopportune times. So, I distanced myself from Purpose as the fallout from today’s issue clouded my vision and wreaked havoc on my thoughts. I was unable to move forward in the things of God because I had put aside what I knew to do and dealt with the issues at hand. I had placed Purpose on hold temporarily.
Oh sure — I talked a good game and even made efforts to do what God had spoken to heart but not in a sustainable way as I got lost in the sauce behind excuses and inertia. Planned the perfect book and researched topics to write about endlessly — only moving the needle ever do slightly and then stopping. And as I sought God for the reason behind my aimlessness, I heard Him say, “I don’t ever want to repent that I gave gifts unto you that you did not use.” Clear as unstained liquid. Clear as the morning sky on an uncloudy day.
And I immediately thought about how God felt after man’s fall in the Garden of Eden; how God repented that He had created man. Man was in paradise and in perfect harmony with God but lost what was accessible to him because of sin. He lost the opportunity to remain pure and to receive all the good that God promised. And I thought, oh my God — is this what I have done by not using your gifts?
This moment ushered in a sense of sobriety when the thought that God was sorry that He’d blessed me with a gift that I was not using shook me to the core and I hung my head in shame. God had indeed given me every opportunity to walk in Purpose, to live in my created role and to be satisfied with that. But I had not done so and the reason that I was heading in a different direction was because my heart had not acquiesced to the call. I had not allowed myself to become immersed in His work. I’d claimed to be a ready pen for the Lord but did not write. I thought — many thoughts— but did not act. Nor did I focus on finishing the tasks before me.
So, I’ve had to reroute myself and resettle myself. I’ve had to be intentional about obedience to God l because I do not ever want Him to repent for blessing me. I realize now that I can no longer sit and wait for inspiration to move but must continue to work toward the prize of the high calling; doing what I don’t feel like doing and honoring Him with my gifts
You, too, have been given the same opportunity to become one with Purpose. Won’t you take a chance on yourself and God by allowing His Purpose to manifest in your life? Honor God with the gifts He has blessed you with. What can you do?
- Walk toward the prize of the high calling
- Focus on finishing the work
- Seek God for continued direction
- Accept responsibility for using your gifts
- Be confident about where God is leading you
- Fully believe in what God has called you to do
- Work unto the Lord
- Enjoy the journey
Women in Purpose 