(insert cliché, square peg made for square hole sentence here).

I realized I crave writing but struggle without a prompt or direction. So...I may or may not be starting an open-ended series of blogs about what I have learned-

What I learned last week -my gifts seem to elude me….

Subsequent thoughts….

So here’s the deal. I am a middle 20’s man with a college degree and an (arguably) entry level job. What I do matters to me. I’m the kind of guy that needs some meaning to my work. It’s got to, in some way, line up with who I am. I can’t last too long doing something I hate (ask me about working for Directv sometime…never mind, don’t ask me I’d rather not think about it). Basically, I want to have a job that matches my gifts. I want to do what I’m made to do…welcome the dilemma. What the hell am I made to do? I’m serious, and I welcome suggestions (I don’t care if Jesus himself tells me to go back, I will not work for Directv again). It really is a tricky thing though. I’m old enough to have (and my bills require) a legitimate career type job. I want said job to connect with my gifts. But I’m young enough to not have a clear picture of those gifts. I certainly know it when they are not being engaged but it turns out that’s not much help.

Second dilemma. Even when I use them, I don’t always recognize the gifts I have. When I (and I imagine the same is true for most people) find myself doing things I am gifted at I think they are easy, then I think they are easy for everyone. It takes some serious work to recognize that what I am gifted in is different from others (I know, sounds obvious). Think about it though. I am not talking about what you are good at. It’s easy to see when others suck at what you are good at. I’m talking about things that, in my mind, are basic and obvious. So obvious, in fact, that it takes some thinking to even see them as gifts.

These types of gifts are intriguing to me. It’s when you do something that you consider so normal that you wouldn’t consider it a job opportunity because, “how could I ask someone to pay me to do that?” when in reality they will pay…and they’ll pay a lot. Ok, maybe not a lot, but they might pay. Clearly, this isn’t about money but I’m really wondering how to find myself in a job that I love, where I am fully engaged, challenged and where my giftings (still taking suggestions) and the worlds needs meet.

Judging from my experience with those on the “other” side of “the hill” I imagine I’ll be thinking, praying and talking about this for many years to come. I figure I’ll get a jump on it though and start thinking now so maybe I’ll get some kind of resolution before I’m an octogenarian.

Despite the sarcasm, I really do welcome your thoughts about this stuff. I know the few of you who read this are pretty wise and have some great things to say…don’t hold back on me. Seriously.

So, how have you found your gifts? Are you still finding them? How are they meeting a need in the world? For the older folks especially- How have you seen this pursuit change over the years? How do you manage adjusting your lifestyle so your evolving gifts continue to have real life applications?

:::Creator of all, you imagined me before I was put together. You imagined and knew where I fit. Come and reveal yourself to me. Show me where you made me to be. Teach me to move towards you in all things and open my heart to receive you. Te busco en todo y espero tu presencia.

amen.