Spark2Flame

“I believe that we have been sold a bill of goods that says ‘we can be anything we want to be.’ That is just not true. But we can be everything that God wants us to be.” -Shawn Wood

I think this is interesting because it is pretty much the opposite of what we are taught in the land of opportunity. We are taught that if we work hard, apply ourselves, study, make enough money, etc. we’ll be happy and we can do absolutely anything.

Part of growing up though is finding our aptitude and seeing which dreams stick. I’ve heard that one definition of a “calling” is something that won’t go away, it just keeps calling you back.

Why do we beat ourselves up over what we are not? Why aren’t we more concerned with being everything God wants us to be?

I understand the desire to be exceptional and recognized for what you do. Reality TV has made “stars” of people who have no greater talent than running their mouths incessantly. American Idol draws people out every year who are unswervingly convinced they will be the next big thing. The only problem is they have no discernable singing ability or they need to work with what they’ve got to get to the place they are ready.

The bottom line that I think Shawn's quote brings out so well is, we can be everything God made us to be and that is plenty. When opportunity is all around, it may seem this is restrictive and limiting. In fact, the opposite is true. By finding out what God has made you to be, you can focus on that, exercise that, be good at that, serve with that, impact the world with that…

It’s liberating! For myself, there was a lot of junk that had to be broken off before I could even start pursuing what God has for me. Some of it was self-imposed, some was other-people-imposed. Either way, when I began to step out and do what He’s called me to do, it was real freedom.

The ability to choose and "be anything” looks appealing, but in reality it’s so difficult and oppressive. You may float around for months or even years trying to figure it out. Some people never quite figure out what they want to do with their lives, but they sure are excited they can be anything.

What a wonder it is that God formed you with a purpose along with a desire to fulfill that purpose. Through love and relationship with Him, we gain clearer insight as grace is more and more evident and working within us.


How about you—have you been keeping your options open? Or do you see that there is freedom in knowing who God has made you to be? Talk about it in the comments!