As I look back on my past 3 1/2 years at the University of Oklahoma, I noticed a change...then I realized it's me! I'm not the same girl that began this college journey 7 semesters ago. I can attribute this to my professors, classes, my sorority, my friends, dating, work, or other extra curricular's, however, I have to say that I think the majority of it is the change of scenery. New place, new people, new experiences!
God tells us in Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Change is good because we get so caught up in routines and consistency, yet we forget that there's an entire world out there that is urning for our eyes to see. If there is one thing that I can take away from OU it would be that they have taught me to focus on my strengths--not try to improve my weaknesses.
This concept of concentrating on our weaknesses begins when we are children. Kids come home with report cards and when parents see a weak area, they get their kid a tutor for that class. This concept only builds with age. In the business world we are evaluated at least once a year by our superiors. If I am lacking in a certain area, then I would be asked to focus my attention to that area for the remainder of the year until the next review...and the cycle continues. Just THINK of all the time and effort we put into our weaknesses...and how much STRONGER we would be if we focused our attention on what God gave us...our strengths!
As I mentioned in my first blog, I'm not one for words, nor am I at all interested in history. In fact I really find it hard to even pick up a book that's worth my while. I will never be that girl that reads for fun, or speaks with a plethora of big words. All my life I've been told to read more to expand my vocabulary, and study harder to understand the past. But I'm a math loving, business thinking, basic communication 101 kinda girl. My friends Holly and Annmarie joke about how I might not know the word I'm trying to portray, but my hands will give it away. (I tried speaking without my hands once, and I sounded pretty dysfunctional).
My point is, we are all searching for that special thing that sets us apart from everyone else. It's our natural human tendency to want to feel important. So focus your efforts on what you know, and be the best you can be at that! As a freshman I had the amazing opportunity to participate in OU's President's Community Scholars. In this program we had speakers come weekly from on and off campus to talk about leadership development, and the importance of volunteerism. One of my favorite meetings was about "Finding your Strength's"...imagine that!
We read the book "Strength's Finder 2.0" by Tom Rath, where you have the opportunity to take an online 45 minute quiz to evaluate your strengths. I've taken many tests like this before but this one is by far the most in depth and accurate description of my strengths and my peers' strengths as well. For example, my strengths are futuristic, winning others over, communication, consistency, and positivity. As humans our tendency would be to see this list and think "oh, positivity is the least of my strengths" but that's just it...they are all STRENGTHS. Stop beating yourself up because society tells us it's conceited to think your actually good at something and that being proud is egotistical. News flash...we all fall short of God's glory. NONE of us are perfect. SO own up to that and be proud of what he did give you...strengths.
We can use these to glorify God. Some people might think that by being a businessman, or a dentist, or even a bartender that there's no way to glorify him with that occupation. But Jesus was a carpenter. How does carving wood all day glorify God? It doesn't. Jesus had his heart with the Lord and he glorified him by showing others God's amazing grace and love. (I am by no means saying that we are anywhere near the greatness of Jesus Christ, but then again set your standards higher and compare yourself to the best, not the worst). Every strength God gave you can be used as an opportunity to reach a non-believer.
I'm a business major, so I think of everything as a opportunity lost or won. If you don't believe that the Church institution is beneficial, why don't you start utilizing your strengths to find a solution, instead of being a part of the problem and digging your head in the sand. If you don't want to partake in certain activities because they aren't glorifying God...news flash...Jesus hung out with the lepers and prostitutes...if he can turn their lives around I think it's safe to say you can give it a shot. My point is if we don't start utilizing our God given talents to glorify him, then what good are they? It's time to take some ownership people. We are in a sinful world where literally everything is bad. So instead of cutting out the inevitable sin, why not focus on making this place a bit better because you have lived for Christ?
I know when I reach those pearly gates I want to say that I utilized my gifts for the better of God's kingdom. Somehow, that through my strength's, I was able to reach just one person. That, to me is to have succeeded. We were made to be courageous...so go BE and glorify him!
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