My husband is proficient at many things, but he also self-aware enough to know what he is good at and what he isn’t. One of his keys in life as a husband, father, and in his career is to work to his strengths and staff or gain assistance in his weaknesses.
Instead of trying to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, he has taken the time to know the basics of what he needs to know and then build into his specific gifting’s and abilities. He then brings others around him who are proficient at what he is not strong in, who can be part of his team or be in close relationship with him to obtain the best outcomes.
Watching him has taught me that it’s wisdom to value the variety of gifts God has placed within you and acknowledge where others have skills you do not. Failure to see our strengths and weaknesses invariably will cause us to let ourselves and others down through our pride, insecurities and lack of self-awareness.
I believe God wants us to effectively use our time to build into what we are gifted in. When we work to our strengths and shore up our weaknesses through connection with others, we will achieve more, value our relationships, and view opportunities differently.
Togetherness rather than self is key because we start to see both the greatness and potential in ourselves and in others more readily.
God never planned for us to be alone. He loves to partner with us and repeatedly in his word says two is better than one and that it is not good for man to be alone. He planned for Adam and Eve to walk alongside him and to carry out His plan, even calling Eve Adam’s helpmate and partner. (Gen 2:18)
Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in record time, not because he worked alone but because he encouraged everyone to work in unison and as a team. The walls of Jericho came down through everyone banding together. Moses had Aaron and Joshua, and Jesus had his disciples. (Neh 2:18; Joshua 6; Exodus, Matthew-John)
It is not independence that God wants to build in our lives but interdependence, where we thrive in connection, partnering with him and other people in unity. It sharpens us, hones our relationships skills, invites God’s blessings and increases our ability and what we can achieve and build.
“One person can put a thousand to flight, but two can send ten thousand.” (Gen 32:30)
Today I encourage you to focus not on your weaknesses but your strengths. Acknowledge your gifts and the skills you do have and seek to enhance them by the time and effort you put into these areas of your life.
Where you know you’re not strong or will benefit from having someone else walking with you, ask God to help you in that area and to bring alongside you those who can teach, strengthen, and build a life, partnership or team with you.
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.“ (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you walk alongside me and that I don’t have to do everything independent of others. Please help me to see where my strengths lie and where I can benefit from others being in my world. In Jesus name Amen.
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