Have you ever had to fill out an application for employment that asks you to list your strengths and weaknesses? Do you fumble and search for answers when the question comes up in an interview? In the past I have had these same challenges. I could name every negative thing about myself, but I couldn’t think of the positive. That happens to most people because we think it’s arrogant to talk about our strengths. That’s a lie. It is part of what is called self-awareness. It’s critical to your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. What is self-awareness, exactly? “Self Awareness is having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions.” (Gary van Warmerdam) Without this perception, you allow other people and circumstances to shape you. Your real purpose will be lost while you stumble through your life ignorant of who you are and why you were created. The ability to listen to your heart and understand its messages is a gift God gives for your highest joy. He created those messages to guide you into your purpose.
Jesus Himself had perfect self-awareness, so His life was focused on completing the work God sent Him to do. His “I AM” statements illustrate this truth: ]”I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14), and so on. He didn’t deny Himself or His power. His vision and knowledge were clear, and He acted accordingly. When He was in the temple as a boy of twelve, He told His parents when they came looking for Him that He must be about His Father’s business. He was fully aware that He was the Son of God. He understood what that meant. He knew His purpose and fulfilled it.
The joy of finding your core desires and walking in them is unspeakable. There are no words to describe the peace I possess within the deep places of my heart, a peace that nothing can disturb. I am also hidden in the quiet of God’s loving heart and it is through His love that I get to know myself and the special way He created me to be a blessing to others. But I am not the only one. He has crafted something special in all of His human creations that is to be shared. You are His creation. Find your purpose and live.