Gò0dNews for Everyone
A Purposeful Life
E
by Beth Penny
veryone is talented and skilled in different ways. I also believe that all people have what I call secret ninja talents. These
are things that we know we do well and keep hidden from others. Why? Sometimes just out of humbleness. Because who likes a braggart, right? My ninja talent is, at times, a blessing and, at times, a curse. What is mine, you ask? Time management and multitasking: working smarter, not harder. People ask me how I get so many things done: I multitask. How do I cook supper, grade papers, watch my favorite show, do the dishes, and do laundry all at the same time? Multitasking is my superpower. That is the blessing side. The curse is that my brain is like a computer screen with 12 tabs open, three of them are frozen, and I have no idea where the music is coming from. What does that have to do with a purposeful life? Find your talents. No matter if they are supersecret ninja talents or just the important, everyday
Right now, more than ever, it is important for Christians to
talents like being kind to others, find your superpower,
be the “church” outside of the four walls. Sharing our talents
and more importantly, USE it. Someone once said, “The
with others is one way to do that. As Christians, one of our
meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is
gifts is most certainly being a light for others. The world is
to give it away.” That is the link to a purposeful life. I was
in symbolic darkness. We sometimes are the only light that
fortunate enough to be introduced to the works of Erma
shines in that darkness. Micah 7:8 says, “Do not gloat over
Bombeck, a Christian comedienne. One of her most famous
me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I
quotes was, “When I stand before God at the end of my life,
sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” We can take that
I would hope that I had not a single talent left and I could
light that is in us and share it with others through simple
say, ‘I used everything You gave me.’” Use the gifts that God
gifts that we already have within us. Matthew 5:16 says it all
has given you. Don’t hang them on a shelf to observe and
for us: “In the same way, let your light shine before others,
admire. They don’t do anyone any good that way.
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father
Are we using the talents and gifts that God has given
in heaven.” Sometimes we are the only light that others see,
us? Have we even tapped into them? If we aren’t using our
and through that, they are able to see the goodness that God
talents, we are wasting them. I encourage you to find your
has to offer.
we find things we are good at in different stages of our lives.
24 // February 2021
About The Author
talents. God leads us in the direction that we need to go, and Beth Penny has taught English at Model High School since 1997. There she is also the Yearbook adviser and the Special Education Department Chair. She and her husband, Chad, have four children.
