To Celebrate (or compete with) Someone's Calling...

"The Lord has assigned to each his task...The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." -from 1 Corinthians 3

In business and life, we come in contact with lots of talented people. We see leaders, CEO's, pastors, and mentors doing great things and making a difference in the world; planting and watering as 1 Corinthians discusses. That is often what we desire for ourselves and is one of the purposes of our businesses.

The problem is when an unhealthy spirit of competition rises up within us. When this happens, we covet someone else's position, impact and/or gifts. Have you ever had thoughts rise up that say things like, "I could do their job or run their business better, why don't I have that ability, how did they get to that level without the education level I have, or why did she get that opportunity and not me?" We may not realize it, but we may be coveting and competing with that other person's calling, rather than supporting it.

Maybe the truth is you could do their job better. Maybe you could have done something great with that opportunity or position too. But honestly, it doesn't matter. God knows the plans He has for you. He knows the good works He has called you to. Their calling is not your calling.

Having not known God's plan for me for many years, I say this from personal experience; Many of us who do not operate in our gifts and calling feel frustrated, and feel a sense of competition with those who do. I am not talking about the feelings you get when you see someone effectively using their gifts and abilities that spur you on to the next level, to getting creative or towards growth, as that is a good thing! I am talking about judgmental feelings; competitive feelings; jealous feelings; unsupportive feelings; even feelings of self doubt.

On the flip side, when we understand our role and God's unique plan for us, celebrating someone else's gifts and calling becomes easier. Being critical fades away, and encouragement replaces it. We begin to recognize when someone else has stepped up to take their place in business, in ministry or in life and we can celebrate and support them! Then, we can even feel more confident about, celebrate and thank God for the work He is doing through us as well.

Just keeping it real :-)

by Krista Dunk, www.KBWomen.com, www.YourEverydayCalling.com