Bloom Where You Are Planted

Watching the Olympics has been so great...on many levels.  I so appreciate the athleticism...sportsmanship...human interest stories...competition.  I for one will be sad when the games are over.  I have LOVED watching.

It's made me think about something, too.  How each sport has its participants that are so accomplished and dedicated to that particular sport.  Swimming has Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin, to name two.  Gymnastics:  Gabby and her four friends.   Track and Field its heroes.  They each are gifted in their particular sport...the one they excel in...the one they enjoy.  I imagine that, on that level, they could cross-over and be pretty good in other sports.  But, for the most part, they do what they do in just one.

I imagine Michael enjoyed water and swimming as a very young child.  He, being tall, could have been a basketballer.  But he didn't go there...he stayed in the pool.  The Jamaican runners aren't swimmers.  The 65 year old rider is still going strong and in his 10 Olympics...he and his horse!  He would have long since aged out of running or swimming or diving.  He does what he does best.

There is a lesson here, for each of us.  We usually do best at what we enjoy.  And that's perfect!  We can exercise our gifts and talents in an area we enjoy.  Not just in sports but in life...we can serve best in areas where we are comfortable and happy.

For example, at church:  do you enjoy children?  There are countless opportunities to be around them:  teaching Sunday School, keeping the nursery, leading a children's choir, helping with VBS, missions groups, etc.  Is working with teenagers where you enjoy being?  Then there's Wednesday night LIFE groups...youth choir...scouts...coaching teams of all sorts.  Visiting those who are ill or in nursing homes?  What a blessing to use your compassionate sides and gift of mercy spending time with those folk who need visitors and friends so much.

So...let's take a lesson from our Olympians and bloom where we are planted.  There's a world of good to be done out there...folks who need us, each and every one.  There's a job to be done in every realm of society.  Let's use our God-given talents and gifts to serve Him and our fellowman.  It's a win/win for sure!  Maybe no medals but blessings galore!