How to Be Fulfilled
It is not possible for everybody to be the best at something, but everybody can be their best at everything.
Some of our limitations are a result of things we can’t control. Everybody has limitations. Got that, everybody! However, many of our limitations are imposed on us by us. It is amazing when a limitation like the husk on grain is shed. Some do the seemingly impossible, simply use the ability they have and don’t whimper because of their limitations.
Before going further note God doesn’t expect us to be the best at anything. He does expect us to be our best at everything.
Jim Abbot was born without a right hand. He didn’t focus on what he didn’t have, he concentrated on utilizing what he did have to the best possible. Courageously he concentrated on his left hand. He overcame his limitations and became the quarterback on his high school football team.
He excelled at baseball batting 427. Later he made the US Olympic Gold Medal team. He broke into the major leagues with the Angels in 1989. During his amazing career he pitched in 263 major league games. In 1991 he was 18-11 with an ERA of 2.89. Most remarkably of all while pitching for the New York Yankees this one armed phenomenon pitched a no-hitter.
He said, “My career wasn’t always great, but it was wonderful.” He had a right to say that. He used what he had without pouting over what he didn’t have.
George Washington Carver was born into slavery with an enquiring mind. As a slave child there was a lot he didn’t have but he used what he had. In young adulthood his inquisitive nature prompted him to pray as he said, “God show me the mysteries of the universe,” but God answered, “That knowledge is for me alone.” So I said, “God tell me the mystery of the peanut.” Then God said, “Well, George, that’s more nearly your size.” He made more than 300 products from peanuts, 118 products from sweet potatoes, and 75 from pecans.
Use what you have to the best of your ability and take pleasure in it. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 10)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4: 10)