Did you ever play the ‘I SPY’ game when you were little? Someone would spot something nearby, call it out, and you had to discover exactly what he or she saw?
Uncovering our divine purpose at times can feel like we are playing the “I Spy” game.
Have you ever experienced a moment when others saw you as more capable then you saw yourself? They noticed some quality about you that stood out to them and they may have made this comment; “You would really be good at THAT” (whatever ‘that’ was referencing), and your immediate response was, NO Way…not me?
You simply were unable to see what they were seeing.
Moments like these can often be unnerving. A decisive moment in time, when someone sees abilities in you and calls it to your attention…A moment of self-reflection.
Here lies the challenge… Do you shrink back and remain in your comfort zone, or do you step out into new horizons? Are you willing to explore the possibility others are right about what they see in you? How about what God sees in you?
Often times, others see the potential in us before we see it in ourselves.
When I was little if someone called out “I spy” (whatever). I would search and search until I found it! Why, as adults, do you think we give up on ourselves so quickly? If we do not immediately see what others see, we quit looking. We don’t search nearly as hard as we did when we were playing the ‘I Spy’ game.
Clearly, when we were playing the game we BELIEVED in what the other person said they saw. Often we are quick to dismiss compliments, which do not line up with our own self-perception.
Insecurity, fear, and pride are all real obstacles keeping us from uncovering our divine purpose. God is aware of this, and for this very reason, He gives us opportunities to overcome these barriers and grow into the man or women He has purposed us to be.
Years ago when I was approached by my Pastor and asked to preach Sunday services at the Brig (Military Prison), I had a choice to make. I could have allowed my insecurities and doubts to retain me within my comfort zone or I could step up to the challenge and broaden my influence into the prison.
By this time, God had given me many opportunities to develop my teaching and preaching skills, yet, I felt totally uncertain about working within the prison system. After all, this was unfamiliar territory for me. Obviously, my Pastor saw something in me and was calling it out.
Was I intimidated… absolutely! I had no point of reference on what to expect. Can you imagine the uneasiness, which rose up within me?
God knew all along where He was leading me and He had been preparing me for such as time as this. Incidentally, I was the only one who was surprised by the mission set before me.
God knows exactly how to pull out of you what he has deposited within you.
Recently, as I was studying the life of Moses in the bible I saw this very thing unfold the life of Moses as well. What a revelation this was for me.
Allow me to recap for you. Moses had been chosen by God to lead His people (the Israelites) out of bondage in Egypt, which was under the rule of Pharaoh. (Exodus 3). God met with Moses (the account of the burning bush) and basically, gave Moses his assignment. Moses immediately told God he was unqualified!
Have you ever told God you could not do what He asked you to do? How did that work for you? It didn’t work for Moses either. God assured Him, he had been chosen and God would go with him.
God does not assign a purpose, without equipping you to do it!
Moses, hesitantly, accepted his assignment. We now pick up the story in Exodus Chapter 32. Moses has followed God’s leading, and the Israelites are free and are in the process of making the journey to the Promised Land.
They have set up camp in the desert; Moses leaves the camp to go up the mountain to speak with God on behalf of the people. During the time of his absence, the people grew restless in the wait. They decided to take matters into their own hands. Because Moses had not yet returned, they decided to build a golden calf to worship. (Need I say this was a BAD idea)?
Whenever we take matters into our own hands rather than following God’s direction, we can expect disaster to follow.
God, being all-knowing, is well aware of what is happening in the camp. Moses was clueless. God proceeds to inform Moses of what the people are doing. God explains to Moses that the Israelites have rebelled, and there is sin in the camp, consequently, He would destroy them.
What I found so interesting about this conversation between God and Moses is this: God refers to the Israelites as ‘Your People’, who ‘You’ have led out of Egypt are now rebelling.
This would seem to be in direct conflict with the facts. The facts state the Israelites are God’s chosen people who He led out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses. Throughout the journey from Egypt, God was training Moses to follow His guidance and lead the people. All the while building the leadership skills, which He had already deposited within Moses from the beginning of time.
Now, in this passage, it is clear to see, God is pulling out of Moses exactly what He had been preparing him for all along. God was setting Moses up to seize the opportunity to recognize in himself the leadership skills he possessed.
Moses had a choice at this moment; he could have taken the easy way out, and turned against the rebellious people. Moses however, did not respond in this manner. Rather he rose up to the challenge. He used his influential position as the leader, for the benefit of the people not for His own gain.
Next we see a different side of Moses emerge as he responds to God, He boldly reminds God the Israelites are HIS people and HE led them out of Egypt with His mighty hand, and He made promises to their ancestors. He is no longer uncertain about his abilities.
BINGO…Moses passed the test! Moses stood his ground as a leader and boldly petitioned God on behalf of the people. God then sends Moses down the mountain to deal with the people.
Side note…God did not need Moses to remind Him of any facts, God is all-knowing! Rather God positioned Moses right where He wanted Him… in order to draw out of him exactly what He deposited within him…the ability to be a great leader!
God designed Moses for this purpose. Moses needed to acknowledge his abilities and make a conscious decision to do what he was created to do…Be A Great Leader.
When the time was right…God gave Moses the opportunity to see in himself what God already saw in him. At that moment, Moses uncovered His purpose! He chose to do that which he was designed to do.
What about you… are you confident God has deposited within you all you need to carry out your divine purpose?
Perhaps, you like Moses, are saying…no way, not me! Maybe, you are in the season of developing your skills, or feasibly, you are about to be launched into your mission.
Regardless of what season you are in, it is crucial for you to embrace your unique abilities. Accept and develop your strengthens, so you will be able to actively fulfill your purpose.
It’s okay if you do not see it just yet; Moses did not initially see it either. God is able to position you to develop your innate gifts, and uncover your purpose. God knows the beginning from the end. He is more than capable to bring you through the process.
Personally, I have now been ministering at the brig for the past five years. I would never have imagined I was capable of carrying out such a mission.
Trust God’s timing! Follow the opportunities placed before you each day. Trust these everyday opportunities are preparing you to fulfill the amazing purpose God has destined for you.
In the meantime, embrace today; listen to God and those around you who say, “I Spy Something Special In You, Can you see it”? Be willing to search until you find it and cooperate with God in developing your gifts.
You are irreplaceable, your mission is uniquely designed for you and there are people waiting for you to step into your calling.
-Lucy Ann
Challenge Question:
Has there been a time when someone saw something in you, but you did not see it in yourself? What did you do with that information? Please share with us in the comments below!
If you have been encouraged, inspired, motivated or challenged by this post, leave a reply below, we would love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe to “Join The Team” located in the sidebar on the right, and pick up your free gift!
Use the social media icons below to share this post with others!
Lisa says
Absolutely beautiful…
I really enjoyed reading this Lucy.
Thank you so much ❤
We all have a purpose and GOD will reveal it….
Blessings 👑
Lucy Ann says
Lisa, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Be encouraged…stay close to God, He is speaking to you every day, revealing His plans and purposes one day at a time! Keep on keeping on!!!
rosemary Sandarelli says
Step out of your comfort zone for Jesus. Recently I was called to do just that on a cold morning in Bradenton Florida (yes it does get cold here). Helping people with food, warm clothes, personal hygiene items and most important, prayer. My team members all knew we were meant to be there to help a deeply disturbed young man. One person at a time, I know we made a difference.
Thank you Lucy Ann for your inspiration. Let’s be on the spiritual muscle journey. Praise Jesus!!
Lucy Ann says
Rosemary,
Isn’t is wonderful as you stepped out to serve, you were blessed as well. I am sure the young man will remember the kindness which was demonstrated to him! Way to go! Being the hands and feet of Jesus!
Walking out your purpose for the day…LOVE IT!!!