ROCK thru to unlock more of who God created you to be
ABUNDANT LIVING SERIES
by Lee Havenga | September 5, 2024
We all have a seed of potential planted within us—talents that, when nurtured, allow us to live with purpose and contribute something uniquely valuable to the world. But often, we bury these gifts under self-doubt, fear of judgment, or the belief that they don’t measure up to society’s standards. What if, instead of chasing external validation, we turned inward to discover and embrace the talents that God has woven into the fabric of who we are?
Your talents are not accidents; they are part of your design. And when you nurture them, you’re not only fulfilling your potential but also contributing to the world in ways only you can. It’s about living fully, leaving nothing on the table, and having the courage to explore your gifts, refine them, and share them. In this article, part of the Abundant Living series, we’ll explore how the four ROCK thru principles can help you connect to your talents and live with greater purpose and fulfillment.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.”
RESPECT
Apply it
Value the Talents Within
Respect starts with recognizing your talents as inherently valuable, regardless of what society or others may think. It’s about accepting and honoring your unique gifts without needing validation or approval from others. When you Respect your talents, you give yourself permission to explore and nurture them for your personal growth and fulfillment.
Apply it:
Identify a talent you’ve been undervaluing. Take time this week to honor it by dedicating specific moments to practice or develop it—not for others, but to bring yourself joy. For example, if dancing fuels you, Respect it by signing up for a class or simply dancing in your living room to reconnect with that joy.
OWNERSHIP
Apply it
Take Responsibility for Your Potential
Ownership is recognizing where you are, accepting the truths of your situation, and taking purposeful action to grow. It’s not about blaming yourself for past inaction or waiting for perfect conditions—it’s about seeing the opportunity in front of you and moving forward.
If you’ve always had a passion for painting but fear or self-doubt has kept you from pursuing it, Ownership is acknowledging those barriers and taking action anyway. Even small, consistent steps can make a big difference.
Apply it:
Practice deliberate action, a technique backed by research from the book Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson. Ericsson’s research shows that mastery comes not from innate talent alone but from intentional, focused practice. For example, take 30 minutes each day to put paint to canvas, honing your skill in a purposeful, deliberate way.
CONNECTION
Apply it
Align Your Talent with God’s Purpose
Connection is aligning your talents with your spiritual source. It’s not just about self-connection but recognizing that your abilities are part of a larger design. God has given you these gifts for a purpose, and deepening your connection with Him helps you understand how to use them for fulfillment and impact.
Apply it:
Set aside quiet time for reflection and prayer to ask God to reveal the talents He has placed within you. The more you connect with Him, the more apparent it will become how you can cultivate and use your gifts. For example, if patience is a personality trait and you also love numbers, this time with the Creator may help you discover how to use those gifts to tutor students.
KINDNESS
Apply it
Nurture and Share Your Talents
Kindness begins with recognizing the value of your talents and giving yourself the freedom to explore them without judgment. But it doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve nurtured your own gifts, the next step is to share them generously with others. Your talents aren’t meant to be hidden—they are meant to bring joy and make a positive impact. Being kind to yourself first makes it easier to extend Kindness outward.
Apply it:
As you explore and hone your talents, think about how they can meet a need in the world around you. Look for places where your unique abilities can serve others and take action. For example, if you’re naturally talkative and empathetic, you might volunteer for a crisis hotline, offering a listening ear to those in need. This way, your Kindness starts with self-compassion and extends to making a meaningful difference in others’ lives.
Your talents are a gift, a unique part of who you are. Don’t let fear or doubt keep you from exploring and using them. Remember, you were created with these abilities for a reason, and they’re meant to be nurtured and shared. ROCK thru and discover more of the joy, fulfillment, and purpose of fully using everything God gave you.
XO ~ Lee
Source:
Ericsson, K. Anders, and Robert Pool. Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016.
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