I was challenged recently as I was watching a documentary on Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.

This young woman has trained her whole life to make it to this level of competition on the world stage.

She is the best of the best.

She doesn’t operate from a place of mediocrity. When she takes the floor (vault, bar, or beam, for that matter), you know you’re about to see excellence in motion.

Her flips, spins, and crisp execution are just awe-inspiring and mind-blowing.

She is truly a master in her sport.

I don’t expect to see her competing in any of the swim meets or track events at the Olympics, though.

Why? Because she’s not trying to be good at everything. Simone is laser-focused on what she knows she’s gifted at (and extensively trained in).

As I’ve watched some of her performances recently, I’ve wondered, “Am I specializing where I know God has called me? Am I doing what I was uniquely made to do and fine-tuning that?”

Jesus did.

His mission was simple (albeit, heavy) – save the world.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)

And while He walked on the earth, He ministered this mission with every act, conversation, and purposeful engagement.

He was a specialist, sent by God, to save us from our sins.

And, while none of us will ever have that level of divine call on our lives (or be crowned an athletic GOAT of any kind), we all were created to uniquely bless the world in some special way.

What do you excel at?

You might be an incredible artist or compassionate care-taker. Maybe you’re a skilled cook or a trained surgeon. The specialties really are endless, aren’t they?!

God is so creative and has wired us in such different and beautiful ways.

May I just encourage you today to pray about and discover what you’re good at? Then, hone it, train it, foster it and be intentional about using it to benefit those around you and, ultimately, glorify God!

As Helen Keller so meaningfully said, “I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do.”

Until next time, Grace and Glory!