I would like to start a new series of blogs called…”Image Inspiration”.  I will be taking images that speak a truth for us to learn.  It has been said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”.  Image Inspiration says, “A picture is worth a lesson to be learned.”

So this week I am going to be taking an image each day and learn the lesson of inspiration from it.  Let’s join together each day and learn some great truths about life…Spread the word and the link to this blog (www.pastorjohnbarrett.com) to those that would be inspired by this.  Also, send me a picture that you think would be a good image to learn from.  Email me @ john@hhchurch.com to submit an image for the blog.

The PUZZLE…

Puzzles are fun and frustrating.  Fun when everything seems to fit and move quickly, but frustrating when we can’t find the piece we need (or think we have the piece but it doesn’t seem to fit).  Many times we try and force the wrong piece in the slot hoping it will work.  Puzzle pieces are meant to fit just perfectly though.  They are machine cut to a perfect match, designed with precision.  The right piece just seems to fit without much force into its perfect slot.  Puzzle pieces have their exact fit that ONLY fits in ONE spot.  They have a pre-determined place that will not connect anywhere else in the puzzle.

Life is like a puzzle.  It is about learning how to fit in to our perfect sweet spot.  How to fit into the relationships we have, the jobs we work, the destiny we are called to, and the gifts we have.  Many times in life it feels like we are trying to force ourself into a mold we just can’t seem to fit in.  Other times it feels as though it is a perfect fit and we connect right where we need to be.  We were created for a specific purpose.  We were designed with precision by God to fit into the place that only we can fit.  No one else can fit into our spot, it is our spot that we are called to.

Many people question whether they are unique.  They question if there is anything in them that is special.  Some people just feel like an assembly line product that is just like everyone else.  But the reality is we are hand-crafted by God.  We are uniquely designed to be who we are.  No one else is like us.  They are not wired the same, carry the same DNA, or have the special blend of gifts and talents we have.  Each one of us are a special masterpiece created by the great artist, God.  We are not machine created, we are artistically created.  That means that each one of us are just a little different than anyone else.  We all have a specific shape that we fit into.  A special curve of gifts, talents, outlook, wiring, and passion.  To undertand our unique fit we have know 2 things…

1. Know Who You Are

In order to find our fit we hav to know who we are.  We have to understand what our strengths are.  Too many people are not operating in their strength zone, they are operating in their weakness zone.  They are trying to do things they aren’t wired for.  Understand at times we may have to step up and do things we aren’t the best at, but we need to make sure we are spending most of our time in our strengths.  It is only when we operate in our strengths that we truly fit.  Strengths come naturally, there is no need to force it.  That doesn’t mean we don’t have to grow in our strengths and get better, but it means there is a natural bend to fulfill our strengths.  What are you strengths? Have you identified 2-3 strengths you have? If so make sure you are spending 80% of your efforts in those areas.  Here is a great resource for finding your strengths…Strengths Finder Test  I challenge you to purchase the test, it is well worth the money to invest into your life.  This test will help you know what your unique blend of strengths are so you can fit better.  It will give you insight to know who you are, so you can know what to do.

2. Know Who You Aren’t

Just like we need to know our strengths, we need to know our weaknesses.  Knowing what we are NOT good at can save you much heartache.  Without knowing our weaknesses we are likely to spend too much time on them.  Without intentional effort our time will flow to our weaknesses.  It does no good to spend time doing things we are not good at when we could be spending that time doing things we are great at.  It is ok to have weaknesses, these are the areas we need to delegate and be careful of.  I am not talking about moral weaknesses, but gift and talent weaknesses.  Make sure you know the difference.  We never ignore our moral weaknesses, those we work on and get right.  But in our gift weaknesses we need to not get sucked into living there.  Know who you aren’t by identifying weaknesses that you are not good at doing.  Then stay clear of those areas knowing that is not your puzzle fit.  Delegate your weaknesses and own your strengths and develop them to be even better.