Finding Your Life's Work

Reading a great book called Boundaries, it has been really helpful in the process of sorting through the various demands in life. One of the most difficult things can be finding the sweet spot of having a generous, servant heart, while also wisely handling responsibilities and pursuing personal goals. This book helps examine where we tend to fall short and offers new perspective. I highly recommend it!

"Finding your life's work involves taking risks. First you need to firmly establish your identity, separating yourself from those you are attached to and following your desires. You must take ownership of how you feel, how you think, and what you want. You must assess your talents and limitations. And then you must begin to step out as God leads you.

"For God wants you to discover and use your gifts to his glory. He asks only that you include him in the process...

"...As you develop your talents, look at your work as a partnership between you and God. He has given you gifts, and he wants you to develop them. Commit your way to the Lord... Ask him to help."

From Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, pg. 206-207

Pride weighs us down.

I received a really challenging idea in my inbox this week, courtesy of Ariane Goodwin's smARTist Mailing List. She was discussing artistic self-esteem, and how sometimes low self-esteem is actually pride in disguise ("pride and ambition running amok" as she put it). She suggests that sometimes artists are too focused on the highest levels of recognition, ability, and income, beyond their current level. So instead we convince ourselves we're worthless rather than be content with the moderate success we can have now.

"...If you really want to see your work on the walls of MOMA, you might find it easier to believe you're no good than to keep making art that simply sells."

I know I've been guilty of this. Just because I'm not the best doesn't mean I should give up. God sovereignly distributes gifting as he chooses, the good servant is the one who invests what he has and brings a proportionate return, not the one who hides for fear of inadequacy.

If only the best birds sing, the forest would be a quiet place!
- Rachel Naomi Remen