Hate being put in a box?
Being told what you should think or what you should say?
How you should or shouldn’t behave?
I’m with you.
That’s why I loved the movie Mulan so much—which Dave and I watched just last night.
Don’t worry, if you haven’t seen it yet, I’m not going to spoil it for you.
But the general theme relates to how important it is to know what our gifts are and then to fully embrace and develop them.
Embracing our gifts with God
Though Mulan isn’t told from a Christian perspective, the same principles apply.
In fact, the Apostle Paul talks about this very topic, listing 18 different types of spiritual gifts* and the importance of practicing those with which we’ve been entrusted.
(*Tyndale includes this caveat in its post I’ve linked to here: “It should be noted that not every Christian believes all these spiritual gifts are still given by God. Some think that there were certain gifts, such as speaking in tongues, that were handed down only for a time when they were needed in biblical history and are no longer needed now”).
There are many people in this world who are quite gifted in one way or another, yet lack the confidence and support to really go for it.
A variety of factors may play into that dynamic—including the lack of an encouraging environment, which may include a lack of encouragement from others.
If either is the case for you, perhaps it’s time to consider surrounding yourself with those who believe in you.
Then maybe you can start to believe in yourself and apply the gifts within.
Because I don’t think God wants us to linger in mediocrity.
Instead, I believe He wants us to understand the gifting He has uniquely bestowed on us.
And then to take His hand and move forward into whatever great and wonderful things He has planned for us next.