Your Abilities Are a Great Road Map

“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.” Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)

Once upon a time, some animals wanted to start a school. They decided the courses would include running, climbing, swimming, and flying. Then they decided that all the animals should take all the courses.

That’s where the problem started.

The duck was better than his teacher at swimming, but he only made passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. So they made him drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This wore down his webbed feet, and his grade dropped to average in swimming. But everyone felt less threatened and more comfortable with that—except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but because of so much makeup work in swimming, he caught pneumonia and had to drop out of school .

The squirrel showed outstanding ability in climbing, but he was extremely frustrated in flying class because the teacher made him start from the ground instead of the treetop. He developed muscle cramps from overextending, so he only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running.

The eagle was the troublemaker. In climbing class, he beat everyone to the top—but flew instead. Refusing to participate in swimming class, he was expelled.

As you might imagine, the animals’ school didn’t work.

Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else.

It’s the same for people. God has designed each person different from all the others. When I expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure.

God made me to be me. He has given me unique abilities, and he wants me to use them the way he intended.

If I wonder what God’s will is for my life? Look at my abilities. The act like a road map; they help point me in the direction I should go.

The Bible says, “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT).

Through my abilities, God has equipped me to do his will. As I use those abilities, I'll start to see how he produces “every good thing” in my life.

In summary:

Hebrews 13:21 reminds me that God equips each person with exactly what they need to do His will, and the story of the animals’ school illustrates what happens when unique design is ignored and everyone is forced into the same mold—frustration, discouragement, and failure. Just as ducks, rabbits, squirrels, and eagles are created to excel in different ways, God has designed each person with distinct abilities meant to be used intentionally, not suppressed or compared. When I try to fit myself or others into a uniform expectation, I miss God’s purpose; but when I recognize my abilities as a road map to His will, I begin to understand how He has already equipped me. As I use the gifts He’s given me, God works through the power of Christ to produce good things that please Him and fulfill His purpose for my life.

Bottom Line:

God has uniquely designed and equipped me for His will, and lasting fruit comes when I stop trying to fit someone else’s mold and faithfully use the abilities He has already given me.

Next Step:

Do a focused ability and alignment audit this week. Identify the 3–5 abilities or strengths God has most clearly given me (skills you’re effective at, energized by, and that consistently add value to others). Then intentionally choose one concrete way to use one of those abilities in service—through coaching, teaching, mentoring, writing, or leading—rather than trying to do everything or fit expectations that don’t match your design.

Practically, this could look like:

Shaping a short devotional or leadership reflection around a strength you already use well

Designing one workshop or coaching conversation that leverages your natural gifts

Saying no to an obligation that pulls you away from your core calling

As I align my actions with how God uniquely equipped me, clarity, confidence, and fruitfulness will increase—and I'll model for others what it looks like to lead from design, not comparison.

Jesus Calls Me by Name

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name.” Luke 19:5 (NLT)

Jesus doesn’t just notice me. He doesn’t just pick me out in a crowd of eight billion people. He knows me. And just like he did for Zacchaeus, he calls me by name.

All his life, Zacchaeus had been ridiculed and rejected, first as a young person for his size. His small stature would have caused him to be the subject of some mean-spirited attention. But then when he got older, he’s ridiculed and rejected for his dishonesty and his corruption as a tax collector. No one would have noticed or cared what happened to Zacchaeus.

And yet, “when Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name” (NLT).

How did Jesus know Zacchaeus’ name? The same reason Jesus knows my name—because he made me. He’s God! God created me, and he knows my name.

This would have shocked everyone in the crowd, not just because Jesus called his name but also because Zacchaeus’ name means “pure one.”

Zacchaeus was anything but pure. He was corruption personified. He would have been called a lot of names over his lifetime, to his face and behind his back. But it had probably been a long time since anyone had called him by his real name, “pure one.”

Jesus called him by his real name. Why? Because Jesus was recognizing Zacchaeus’ potential rather than pointing out his past.

I may have had some tough breaks in life. I've had some mean things said about me. I can still remember the names I was called by the kids at school or even my parents. And I have a hard time feeling good about me.

But I have to remember this: Even though other people may have called me those names, it doesn’t really matter.

What matters is not the names they called me but the fact that Jesus knows my name. He is calling my name today, drawing me to him and saying, “I see in you what I made you to be—and I’ve never given up on that.”

In summary:

When Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, He showed that He didn’t merely notice him but truly knew him, seeing beyond a lifetime of ridicule, rejection, and corruption to the identity and potential God had placed within him. Though Zacchaeus had been labeled and shamed by others and lived far from the meaning of his name, “pure one,” Jesus addressed him by his true name to affirm who he was created to be, not who his past suggested. In the same way, Jesus knows me personally because He created me, and He calls me not by the hurtful names or labels others have used, but by my God-given identity. No matter the wounds or words I’ve carried, what matters most is that Jesus knows my name, sees who I was made to be, and continues to call me toward restoration and hope.

Bottom Line:

My past labels don’t define me—Jesus knows my name, sees my true identity, and calls me into who God created me to be.

Next Step:

Intentionally replace false labels with God’s truth about my identity. This week, identify one name, belief, or narrative I’ve carried that came from rejection, failure, or other people’s opinions, and consciously surrender it to God in prayer. Then write down—and speak daily—the name and identity Jesus calls me by (chosen, forgiven, redeemed, pure, called).

Practically, turn this into movement by sharing it with others: create a short devotional, coaching reflection, or LinkedIn post about how identity precedes transformation. As I help others let go of harmful labels and embrace who God says they are, I’ll reinforce my own identity and advance my calling to lead, coach, and equip people with hope and clarity.

The Call That Changes Everything

“Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God.” Romans 7:4 (GNT)

Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life, as well.

“You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you” (1 Peter 2:9 GW).

Part of that mission is to help others. Regardless of my job or career, I am called to full-time Christian service. A “non-serving Christian” is a contradiction in terms.

The Bible says, “He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose” (2 Timothy 1:9 GNT).

Often we think that being called by God is something only missionaries, pastors, and other full-time church workers experience, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service.

God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others, and he’s gifted others with talents and abilities to benefit me. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. If they don’t share their talents with me, I’ll miss out. 

Everything in society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others..

When I use my God-given abilities to help others, I'm fulfilling my calling. The Bible says, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God” (Romans 7:4 GNT).

Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

In summary:

Every Christian is called to live on a mission by serving God and others, not just those in formal ministry roles. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers belong to Christ so they can be useful in God’s service, fulfilling a purpose rooted in God’s calling rather than personal achievement. Scripture affirms that each person is uniquely gifted to benefit others, and that service is essential to Christian identity—there is no such thing as a non-serving Christian. In a culture focused on self, God calls believers to use their talents for the good of others, reflecting Jesus’ example of glorifying God by faithfully carrying out His mission.

Bottom Line:

I was saved on purpose and for a purpose—to belong to Christ and use my God-given gifts in service to others, bringing glory to God by fulfilling my mission.

Next Steps:

Clarify my service lane. Take time this week to clearly articulate how God has uniquely wired you to serve. Identify the overlap between: my gifts, my leadership and coaching strengths, and to identify the people I feel most burdened to help. Choose and commit to one place to serve consistently, where I can use my gifts. Turn calling into content by translating this truth into something shareable focusing on the message: Every believer is called to serve, not spectate. Invite others into purpose Lastly evaluate my calendar through the lens of mission. Adjust one commitment so your calendar matches your calling.

Stop thinking about calling in theory and start living it in practice—serve deliberately, lead intentionally, and help others discover that they, too, were saved to make a difference.

A Life That Thanks God Ahead of Time

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV)

If I was given a check today for a hundred dollars, would I wait to say thank you until I knew it would clear? Unless you had reason to not trust the one giving it, You’d thank them—and then take the check to the bank.

God’s promises are better than any of our promises. Before I even receive what he has promised, I can say, “Thank you, God. I know that what you promised will happen. You’ll do what you say you will do.”

There’s a great example of this in God’s “faith hall of fame” in Hebrews 11. Remember how Joshua led the Israelites around Jericho, where the walls fell down? How did they fall down? Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days” (NIV).

It says, “by faith.” The story goes like this: “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘I am putting into your hands Jericho, with its king and all its brave soldiers. You and your soldiers are to march around the city once a day for six days. Seven priests, each carrying a trumpet, are to go in front of the Covenant Box. On the seventh day you and your soldiers are to march around the city seven times while the priests blow the trumpets. Then they are to sound one long note. As soon as you hear it, all the people are to give a loud shout, and the city walls will collapse. Then the whole army will go straight into the city’” (Joshua 6:2-5 GNT).

And that’s exactly what happened. The Israelites followed God’s instructions, and the walls just fell. God did what he’d promised!

What if I’d been one of those people marching around the city for seven days? I might have been looking at those walls, getting more and more worried, wondering how God could ever bring them down. But the Bible says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell.” They thought about what God could do and thanked him in advance.

This is the kind of life Jesus wants me to live, the thanking-God-in-advance kind of life. Jesus talked about it in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (NIV). 

When I ask God for something, why even ask if I don’t believe? It’s an empty exercise.

Jesus said that if I pray and ask God for something, I should believe he’s going to do it. Thank him in advance for what only he can do. And then look for how he answers my prayer.

In summary:

This passage teaches that genuine faith trusts God’s promises so completely that you would thank Him before the answer is seen, just as one would thank a trusted giver before a given check clears. Because God is perfectly faithful, believers can confidently pray believing He will do what He has promised, as illustrated by the fall of Jericho when the Israelites obeyed God and thanked Him in advance by faith. Jesus calls His followers to this kind of faith-filled life—praying with expectation, trusting God’s word, thanking Him ahead of time, and watching for how He answers—because prayer without belief is empty, but faith turns God’s promises into lived reality.

Bottom Line:

Live with expectant faith—pray believing God will do what He has promised, thank Him in advance, and trust Him to answer even before I see the results.

Next Step:

Intentionally practice and model visible, expectant faith—then invite others into it by choosing one clear prayer or God-given vision and begin thanking God in advance for it daily, not just asking. Then put language to my faith by sharing this publicly so others can see what “believing before seeing” looks like in real life. Align your goals with prayer, treating goal-setting as an act of trust rather than control, and take one obedient step even if the outcome isn’t guaranteed yet. This fits who I am because I'm not just called to believe privately—I'm called to lead by example, helping people move from fear and uncertainty to faith and action. When my life consistently reflects thanking God in advance, it reinforces my credibility as a leader and multiplies my impact far beyond my own story.

Two Ways to Live with Faith, Not Fear

“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 (NIV) Imagine how Joseph must have felt when his fiancée became pregnant before they were married. The gossip in their small town would have been intense. It would have affected his family, his business, and his plans for the future. And so he decided to quietly break off the engagement to save Mary from disgrace.    “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20 NIV). Joseph could have missed the greatest blessing of his life if he had worried about the disapproval of other people. Instead, he chose to obey God and listen to his voice instead of the voices around him. Joseph decided that God’s approval mattered more than the approval of anyone else. The world is a pretty negative place to live in today. It’s easy to feed our minds with fearful things from the media, other people’s opinions, and even the lies we tell ourselves. But the Bible says fear is the opposite of faith. Romans 14:23 says, “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (NIV). To move out of fear and into faith, I need to change the ideas I allow into my mind. There are two things I need to do. First, limit the amount of negative talk I'm consuming through the news and social media. It’s one thing to be informed; it’s another to let it negatively affect the way I see other people, the world, and even myself. Second, I need to start hanging out with people of faith. This is one of the reasons why the church is so important. When I'm fearful, other believers can remind me of my purpose and God’s goodness. When I become part of a church family and commit to fellowship, the voices of encouragement are louder than the voices that cause fear. Like Joseph, I need to choose to listen to God’s voice. As I do, my faith in his promises will grow so there is no room for fear. In summary: Fear and faith cannot coexist, and that living by faith means choosing God’s approval over the opinions and negativity of the world. Like Joseph, who risked public disapproval by obeying God rather than listening to the voices around him, I am called to trust God even when fear, gossip, or uncertainty threaten to derail me. Romans 14:23 underscores that anything not rooted in faith leads me away from God’s best, which means I must be intentional about what I allow into my mind—limiting fear-driven input from media and surrounding myself with people of faith who encourage and remind me of God’s promises. When I consistently listen to God’s voice and stay connected to a faith-filled community, my trust in Him grows stronger and fear loses its grip. Bottom Line: When I choose God’s approval over people’s opinions and intentionally guard what influences my mind, faith replaces fear—and obedience opens the door to God’s best work in my life. Next Step: This means choosing one voice to amplify and one fear to silence—this week. Share one faith-forward insight publicly (LinkedIn is the right place for you right now) that names the tension between fear and faith and models what it looks like to listen to God’s voice instead of the crowd. Invite conversation, not validation—end the post with a reflective question that helps others identify where fear is influencing their decisions. Pay attention to obedience, not outcomes. Your win isn’t engagement; it’s faithfulness. “I’m learning that faith grows when God’s voice gets louder than the noise around me.” Then take one sentence to say how you’re practicing that, and one sentence to invite others to reflect. Why this matters: This step moves me from internal conviction to external leadership. I'm not just learning to live by faith—you’re helping others do the same by example. My next step isn’t bigger—it’s braver.

 

Leading from a Secure Future

“Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)

It’s easy to look around the world and not see any reason for hope. But God’s Word is clear: You have real reasons to hope. The first chapter of 1 Peter gives five of those reasons.

God chose you before you chose him.

God always treats you with grace and mercy.

God has secured your future. No matter what happens for the rest of my life, if I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, God guarantees my future. I will never be able to lose my salvation.

The Bible says, “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT).

An inheritance is what I'm given because I belong to a family. Usually, it’s given at someone’s death. It’s like a birthright.

Peter gives five words and phrases to describe my inheritance in heaven:

Priceless: Its value is so great that I can’t even measure it.

Kept: I need a reservation to get into heaven, and I can only make that reservation through Jesus. Once I put in my reservation, it can never be canceled.

Pure: It isn’t fake. It’s the real deal.

Undefiled: It can’t be corrupted. I can’t lose it—ever.

Beyond the reach of change and decay: It won’t wither, die, or lose its value.

God has already written the final chapter of my life. I've got a reservation that I cannot lose! I can believe that, trust that, and put my hope in it.

In summary:

This passage reminds me that even when the world offers little reason for hope, God’s Word gives me unshakable confidence because my future is secure in Him. Scripture teaches that God chose us, treats us with grace and mercy, and guarantees our salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ. As members of God’s family, we are promised a priceless inheritance in heaven—one that is pure, undefiled, protected, and beyond the reach of change or decay. This inheritance cannot be lost, corrupted, or canceled, because God Himself has secured it. Knowing that God has already written the final chapter of my life allows us to live with great expectation, trusting Him fully and anchoring my hope in what is eternally certain.

Bottom Line:

No matter what happens in this life, my hope is secure because God has guaranteed my future through Christ, giving me an unchanging, eternal inheritance that cannot be lost, corrupted, or taken away.

Next Steps:

Anchor my message in hope and make it visible through consistent, practical teaching. This means: I need to name my core message clearly: “My future is secure in Christ, so I can live boldly today.” Create one simple, repeatable rhythm (weekly post, short devotional, or coaching prompt) that helps people connect eternal security with everyday decisions. Share hope with authority, not apology—not as theory, but as something I personally live from and depend on. Invite response, not just reflection: ask one question or give one small action step that helps others place their confidence in God’s promises. I need to consistently steward my voice so people learn to associate me as steady and grounded hope in an uncertain world.

Dreams That Begin with Faith

“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” Hebrews 11:1 (NCV)

The life that God planned for me to live is simple. It’s a life of love and faith.

The Bible explains the principle of love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind . . . Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39 NCV).

And Hebrews 11:6 explains what it means to live a life of faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV). 

If you’re a parent, you know how pleased you are when your child trusts you. It’s the same with God. Your trust in him—your faith—pleases him.

What is faith? Faith is believing when I can’t see it.

People say, “Seeing is believing.”  But God says the exact opposite: “Believing is seeing.” Some things I'll never see unless I believe them first.

Hebrews 11:1 says it like this: “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it” (NCV).   

Every great achievement starts when someone first believes it’s possible. Faith turns dreams into realities. Nothing happens until someone believes it’s possible.

What about me? What dream do I have today that requires faith?

Spend some time today asking God, “What do you want me to do?” When I'm tuned in and talking to God, setting goals becomes an act of faith.

In summary:

The life God intends is rooted in two simple but profound principles: love and faith. Scripture teaches that love means fully loving God and others, while faith means trusting God even when outcomes aren’t visible. Faith pleases God in the same way a child’s trust pleases a parent, because it reflects confidence in who He is and belief that He rewards those who seek Him. Rather than “seeing is believing,” faith operates on the truth that believing comes first, and only then does understanding or fulfillment follow. Every meaningful dream or achievement begins with belief, and faith turns hope into action. The reflection ends by inviting personal application—asking God what step of faith He is calling me to take and allowing goal-setting itself to become an act of trust in Him.

Bottom line:

God calls us to live simply by loving Him and others and by trusting Him fully—believing before we see—because faith pleases God, turns hope into action, and allows His plans and purposes to become reality in our lives.

Next Step:

Intentionally practice and model visible faith through a small, obedient action—and invite others to do the same. Ask God one clear question: “What is one step of faith You want me to take right now?” Act on it publicly and humbly—whether that’s sharing a short reflection on LinkedIn, guiding a coaching conversation around faith and purpose, or setting one goal that requires trust rather than certainty. Turn it into a repeatable framework you can use in coaching or leadership spaces: Listen → Believe → Act → Reflect. I don’t need a bigger platform or a new idea—I need a faith-driven step that others can see and follow, reinforcing my role as a trusted guide who lives what he teaches.