Thinking Aloud

To start from part one, click here.

Skill: A strength expressed in a specific way that builds up others and benefits the Kingdom.

Now that you know your strengths, what do you do with them? Chances are, you’re already doing something. Strengths are made to be expressed. We call those expressions skills.

Skills can get overlooked. Besides being made fun of in Napoleon Dynamite (okay, that was pretty hilarious), they can sometimes seem not-as-spiritual.

For example, you might wonder, “How does something like cooking help the Kingdom?” (Besides potlucks,which are the best sort of goodness this side of heaven.)

In the DaySpring creative area, this verse stayed on the wall for many years…

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. Exodus 31:3

This verse reveals that God’s hand is in our skills, in the ordinary things we do. And they matter. A lot. We don’t all have the same skills. For example, the “all kinds of crafts” part doesn’t quite fit me. (I am not allowed to use hot glue guns for reasons that shall remain unsaid.)

To help us figure out our skills, I’ve got another list. Take a look…

Download Skills List

Skills Circles can be a fun way to connect strengths with skills. Draw a circle and write a strength in the middle. Then draw small circles around the edge and write related skills in them. Here’s a personal example…

The size of the circle is related to how much we express that strength through the skill. For example, I write a lot more than I speak.

Have fun with this! Doodle, put these in your journal, write them on napkins next time you’re stuck on a plane. This isn’t meant to be a big project, just a little tool.

We usually express the same core strength in many different ways. That reveals a lot about who we are and what God has called us to do in our story.

Watch out world, we’ve got skills and we’re not afraid to use them.

(Except for the hot glue gun. I’m still not going there. You fabulously talented crafty people handle that one for me, okay?)

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TODAY’S QUESTION:
What are some of your skills?

Holley:
Your strengths gave me such a great glimpse of your hearts. And now your skills are giving me such a great glimpse of your hands, what you do in everyday life. I love finding out more about the wonderful women God has made you! (:

The comment link was broken earlier but I fixed it so I’m really sorry if it didn’t work for you at first! Thank you for your perseverance!

I’m still at the Blissdom conference in Nashville and I head home tomorrow. Thanks again for your prayers! I’ve really felt them with me!

Purpleclick:
Thanks again, Holley, for this wonderful list of skills. It’s very helpful to think in these terms and see indeed how God has been using us, in the way He has gifted us.
Here’s my list of strengths with skills (those with the * next to them are the “bigger” circles.)

Strength: Creative
Skills:
- Creating*
- Administering*
- Decorating
- Organizing
- Teaching
- Writing

Strength: Loyal
Skills:
- Appreciating
- Building
- Encouraging
- Maintaining*
- Persevering*
- Listening

Strength: Protective
Skills:
- Protecting*
- Believing*
- Nurturing
- Supporting

(February 07, 2010 at 10:13AM)

To start from part one, click here.

Strength: a personal characteristic that can be used on behalf of God in service to others.

To find the core strengths in your story, download the list and find the words that most apply to you.

Download Strengths List

Then put them through the S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. Test…

Service – Does it help me serve God and others?

Time – Has it been present throughout much of my life?

Relationships – Do others see this?

Energy – Do I feel energized when I’m living this way?

Natural – Does this come naturally to me most of the time? OR do I know God has intentionally developed this in me even though it doesn’t?

Glory – Does God ultimately get the glory from it?

Trials – Even in hard times, does it usually come through somehow?

Heart – Does this really feel like a core part of who I am?

* Does it feel strange to talk about your strengths? Read Part 21.

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TODAY’S QUESTION:
What are some of your strengths?