Become a Detective to Discover Your Gifts

We’ve talked off and on lately about how God has given each of us gifts and how to discover your gifts. I recently spoke at a women’s conference about this very subject. This week, I’d like to share with you some of the first steps to discover your gifts that I shared with them.

You may not automatically know what our gifts and purpose are. However, it is your responsibility to discover them! It’s going to take some craftiness though. You’ll have to start a process of self-discovery and searching. In a sense, you will need to become a detective! You will need to start looking for “clues” to solve your case—the case to discover your gifts. 

Now, I will tell you that it’s not something that is quick, nor will you discover your gifts overnight. It’s going to be a process that takes some time. You also may not get the full picture right away, maybe only bits and pieces at a time OVER time.  Much like a detective doesn’t always solve a crime right away.

Become a good detective

First of all, to be a good detective, you have to document everything. You have to write things down and go back to them to look for clues, patterns, and themes. A detective can’t remember everything. Therefore, a notebook is extremely important in order for them to document their journey and solve the case.

This is no different for you when you are on the case to discover your gifts. Like a good detective, YOU will need a notebook or a journal to write your discoveries down. You need to take notes along the way, and answer questions.

3 things you need to do to be detective to discover your gifts

1. LOOK FOR CLUES! Do some self-discovery
2. QUESTION THE WITNESS! Ask God
3. FOLLOW YOUR LEADS! Step out and start serving somewhere

LOOK FOR CLUES! …Do some self-discovery

First, you need to spend some time studying yourself and talking to others to discover your gifts. Think about and answer some of the following questions. Then take some time and talk with a trusted friend, family member, and/or church small group about it. They occasionally see things that we don’t. God will often use other people to confirm our gifts and callings as well.

• What do you do well? What are you good at?
• What do others say you do well? What are you always being complimented on?
• What things come easy or seem very natural for you? Sometimes we don’t see things as gifts or even recognize them because they come so naturally to us that we think, “Well anybody can do this.”
• What were/are your favorite subjects in school? Why were those subjects enjoyable?
• What types of jobs have you enjoyed the most? What did you like about them?
• What kinds of things excite you, motivate you or inspire you (dreams, passions, hobbies)?
• What are the things that when you hear about them you just burn with anger inside wishing that you could do something about it?
• Think about times in your life when you’ve felt significant or a sense of purpose.
• How can you help others based on some of the pain you’ve experienced in your life? Sometimes our gifts are revealed in some of our life experiences, and these experiences can also be used to help others. God can make purpose out of your pain.

QUESTION THE WITNESS! …Ask God

Secondly, if you’re not sure what your gifts are, ask God! God will direct you and guide you in his plan and purpose for your life. He will help you in the process to discover your gifts. He will start revealing things to you if you just ask Him. 

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

“Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.” Psalm 25:12 (NLT)

You need to spend time seeking God about your gifts and about His plan and purpose for your life. You can do this by spending daily time in the Bible and in prayer. Keep in mind, you may not get all of your answers immediately. It will probably be revealed over a period of time. Also, you will probably receive direction in small steps as opposed to seeing the big picture. Like a lamp lights a dark path so that we can see which way to go, God’s Word will light our path and give us answers and direction in which way we should go.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 

FOLLOW YOUR LEADS! …Step out and start serving somewhere

Finally, you may very well indeed discover your gifts and find your purpose when you’re serving God and His kingdom. Once you do start to discover you gifts, start practicing them.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13 (NKJV)

“In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body.” Romans 12:4-6 MSG

Your gifts were given to you, in part, to point people to God. Find ways to use your gifts to serve God and others and to love your neighbor. It’s important to get connected in serving God somewhere (especially in your local church, His house). Think of any areas where you could start serving in your church that will let you use, practice, and/or discover your gifts. Additionally, consider some other local ministries or areas where you might be able to use or discover your gifts (this may take some research). 

In Summary…Take Some Practical Steps to Discover Your Gifts:

• First, get a notebook or journal to document your discovery process.
• Then, start answering some of the self-discovery questions (listed above). Write your answers down. Talk to friends and family and get their opinions to help you discover your gifts.
• Next, spend some time asking God about your gifts and about His plan and purpose for your life. Do this by having a regular quiet time and by praying. You can also start some bible reading plans about discovering your gifts via YouVersion or on their bible app (my personal favorite). God will start to reveal your gifts to you by doing these things.
• Lastly, step out and start serving somewhere. You can start to find what your good at and what you enjoy when you serve others. It’s a win-win!

What are some ways that you discover your gifts? Share your ideas by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)