I read this story by Mark Twain recently and it blessed me:

A man died and met Saint Peter at the gates of Heaven.

Recognizing the saint’s knowledge and wisdom, he wanted to ask him a question.

“Saint Peter,” he said, “I’ve been interested in military history for many years. Tell me, who was the greatest general of all time?”

Peter quickly responded, “O, that is a simple question. It’s that man right over there.”

The man looked where Peter was pointing and answered, “You must be mistaken. I knew that man on earth and he was just a common laborer.”

“That’s right,” Peter remarked, “But he would have been the greatest general of all time-if he had been a general.”

-Mark Twain

You don’t get to do life over again. You get one shot. Make sure you’re doing what you love, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re gifted at. Once you find what that is, be the best you can possibly be and watch what God will do in your life!

Who could you become if you follow your passion?

²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. – Romans 11:29

Once you discover your gifting it’s critical that you do everything you can to develop that gift. Since it is the area of your gifting, you’ll naturally be better in that area than the majority of people. As a result you’ll think you can wing it and get by, you’ll be tempted to take short cuts, and be tempted not to develop your gift as much as you could because you think you’ve already arrived.If you take that approach – you’re on a straight path to mediocrity. In the end, success will depend on how disciplined you were to develop your gift.

Here are some ways I’ve developed my gifting… Hope they help!

• Do Something Everyday that Develops Your Gift – If it’s speaking – speak daily, writing – write daily, sports – practice daily, an instrument – play everyday… More important than all of the learning is the doing. Be someone who actually puts into practice what they are learning.

• Books, Books, and More Books – There is no better way of learning than through the experiences of others. with books you can learn what it took someone a lifetime to learn in a few hours. Leaders are readers!

• Listen to Podcasts, Lessons, Etc. - There are tons of audio lessons that will help you develop your gift. Find them and listen to as many as you can!

• Get Around People Who are Doing it Better Than You - Find the people who are well developed and doing big things and contact them and see if you can take them to lunch or breakfast. Pay them if you have to, get around them, and ask them as many questions as you can!

• Look for Coaching Networks - Coaching Networks are becoming huge. They involve a high quality leader who is willing to invest in a handful of people over a 6-9 month period. I’d highly recommend this – it’s changed my life!

• Conferences – Conferences are a great way to get around people who are “tearing it up” in the area you’re wanting to develop. Find conferences based around what you want to develop and be willing to pay the price to go. It’ll be worth it.

What are some things you do to develop your gift?

²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. – Romans 11:29

God has given everyone gifts, talents, and a call on their lives that cannot be taken away. I’ve been thinking a lot about giftings lately. What they’ve done for me, how to develop them, and recognizing what I’m not gifted at.

People that wonder what they should do with their lives (their calling) can usually figure it out by 2 things:

1.) Their Passion - What do you think about everywhere you go? What sets you “on fire”?

2.) Their Gifting - What are you good at?

Today I just want you to focus on figuring out what you’re gifted at:

What are you good at that you love to do?

What do other people say your good at?

What do you do better than 95% of other people?

I encourage you to buy some books on finding your strengths and take some personality tests. Become a student of yourself. If you’re going to be successful at all in life – you have to know your strength zone (your gifting).