by Sue Miley
I remember when I took up watercolor painting. I tried so hard to stay in the lines. I carefully controlled the flow so that I had delineated lines and pure brilliant colors. At the end of one of these first paintings, I accidentally got too much water on the brush. The drops gushed over the lines into other color’s territory. I dropped my head groaning. Now it was ruined.
But when I looked up, I saw a beautiful meshing of colors and textures. It was as if it was meant to be. It was a new creation.
I see this same experience in other areas of life. We grow up, become spouses, parents and employees. We try to carefully balance it all, stay in control, and create a beautiful life.
Most of us in this season of life are usually frustrated, strained, and sometimes we don’t recognize ourselves in the mirror. Is this what God had planned for us all along?
I believe that God gives us everything; including our gifts and talents, our passions and compassions. And, according to scripture God has a plan for each of us. Personally, though, I have learned that sometimes He will wait on us to finish our plan. He will let us try to stay carefully in the lines of what everyone wants from us and watch us strain as we try and control the picture of life.
What if we stopped? What if you stopped?
If we believe that God is all knowing, all loving, and all powerful, can’t we trust his calling for our lives? If we know intellectually that God’s plan is always better than our own, shouldn’t we figure out how to let go of our own?
I read this recently, “Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God, through us to the world.”
I have to believe that when we are in God’s zone and following his call, we have purpose and make an impact in His Kingdom.
I wish I could tell everyone in a few words exactly how to find God’s creative calling for your life. I may not accomplish that, but I can help you get started.
- Begin to let go of control. Pray that God will help you let go and stop controlling every outcome. You will know when you are controlling because you will feel anxious and hurried to make things happen.
- Get in touch with your natural gifts and talents. Usually this is found in creative endeavors. Anything from a walk in nature to picking up a paintbrush and dipping it into water.
- Seek God’s will. Pray for his calling in your life, whether it is in something little or big. It may be just a hobby. Many years ago, God was calling me out of the hectic corporate world to be at home more with my children.
- Be obedient. Although we need to let go of control, we still need to participate. Keep moving forward in obedience and trust the doors God opens and closes.
I know it isn’t as simple as 1, 2, 3, but I have worked with many people trying to find God’s calling for their lives… and one day… one day you may lift up your head and see a stunning, colorful, landscape that is your life. A new creation.
Sue Miley is a business coach and licensed professional counselor who founded Crossroads Professional Services. Crossroads provides faith based coaching and counseling services for the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Sue can be found online at www.crossroadcoach.com and www.crossroadcounselor.com.
