“What unique skills, interests, or passions would you bring to this job?” 

In the moment I had no idea what to say, I was interviewing for a high school teacher job. What are my unique skills and passions? What do I bring to the table that would be any different than another applicant? What special thing do I possess that makes me better for this job than another equally qualified person? I eventually landed on my deep love of books, and my desire to know the kids beyond just their grades. 

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that knowing about our distinctive passions and abilities actually makes us more aware of how God created us to live in this world. When we know the unique and masterful ways God put us together, we can know deeply how to use these things to make a mark for Him. 

For example, my passions include writing, reading, baking, and running. Some of these are obvious; I write things that will help connect people to God, and I read books about God to enhance my relationship with Him. The baking and the running can be more difficult to figure out. How does baking a cake make a mark on the world for Jesus? And how might running bring others closer to Him?

The way I see it I use my baking to make people feel welcome and loved. When people come to my house, they know there will be something I’ve recently baked and it can make them feel comforted and happy. I also use baking to bring people joy in hard times: dropping off banana bread when I know someone is hurting, or baking cookies for the youth on the way to camp to calm some nerves. 

I use running in two ways: for my relationship with Him, and for my relationship with others. When I run in nature I can hear God and I can spend time with Him away from the distractions of the world. I can also talk with Him and do a heck of a lot better job listening. Additionally, I invite others into running with me and am able to build strong relationships with them as we toil along the road. It’s a way to connect with people that maybe I’d have no connection with otherwise. 

The way we view our talents and passions needs to be through God’s eyes and with purpose. When we put these earthly things on mission, we can have greater influence in our spheres toward the kingdom of God. We don’t have to specifically do ministry in these spheres, but we can love people in the things we are already doing. 

This past spring our church hosted a women’s event, and I was honored to write a devotional for the women to work through during that time. The women’s event was based on Ephesians 2:10 and discussed how we are God’s masterpiece and how we can use our unique selves to influence the world around us:

And now I would like to share this devotional with all of you! You can download and print this devotional and find out what God has called you to do with your life and how to use your unique selves to bring His kingdom to earth. 

Feel free to share, and also let me know what you discover!