Have you believed you could __________ (fill in the blank with your desire)? Could is the past tense of can meaning “to be able to, have the ability, power, or skills to.” You have skills and talents that you need to believe you can use to do what God has asked you to accomplish.
God’s Word tells us that “I can do all things [that He calls me to] through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). You may not have achieved yet what God has called you to do but that’s okay. God is aware that we are in process. Paul shared earlier in Philippians, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14).
What can you do?
So, what can you do? What are you called to do? Titus 2:3-5 lists several activities we both should and shouldn’t do:
- Be reverent [God-honoring] in the way I live
- Do not gossip
- Do not be addicted to wine [or other things that keep you from answering His call]
- Teach what is good
- Urge younger women (and model for them, how) to love their husbands and children, and to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home [even if you work outside the home], to be kind, to be subject to their husbands (for the purpose that no one can malign the word of God). We will explore that last phrase in a later post.
Other Scripture verses also give us instruction:
- Be appropriate with your level and choice of activity according to God’s priority, Ecclesiastes 3:1
- Realize that you are not called to do everything but to do your part. Acts 4:11-13
- Be a doer of good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:10
Personal Inventory
You need to take some time and think about the tools and talents that you bring to the calling God has for you. Make a list in your journal. Now add to that list the tools and talents that you want to learn to add to your toolbox. Here are a few ideas from my list to get you started:
| Creative heart | Desire to serve | Ability to write well |
| Love of history | Cooking | Able to see potential |
| Artistic hand | Hospitality | Love of crafting |
| Sewing | Organizational skills | Researcher |
Be honest as you are compiling your list. Don’t be afraid to admit what you are able to do. This list is between you and God. You are thanking Him for the natural talents and desires that he has gifted you with and asking Him for a willingness to learn additional skills that He needs for you to learn. It’s okay for you to be excited about what you can actually do so don’t be overly modest.
Make your focus not about what you can do or can’t do, but about what God can do through you! God’s word to the Israelites in the Old Testament was “be strong and courageous.” He says this phrase to the Israelites eleven times to it must be important! Be brave and courageous recognizing what you are capable of already and what you can learn to accomplish.
What holds you back?
Now, take a look at your list of talents and tools. What is holding you back? What have you allowed to hinder you? List those hindrances beneath your list of talents and tools. Hindrances may include fear, chronic illness, procrastination, selfishness, disorganization, perception of others’ opinions, etc.
I want you to take a black marker and cross of the list of hindrances that have held you back. Then in a bright colorful marker, I want you to write:
Together, let’s believe we can move forward in our callings for a life and home that honors God. Let’s create homes where heart, hope, and hospitality thrive!
Grateful to be able to share my heart for family and home!
