Doing Life as God Intended
How often have you looked at someone else’s life and thought, “Why can’t I be more like that?” Now more than ever, with people posting their best life on social media, it’s easy to get caught in the comparison trap. I’ve been there myself. But you weren’t created to live someone else’s life—or to run their race. And trying to do so will wear you out.
We’re Not All Built the Same
I’ll never forget watching the Olympics years ago. You had Usain Bolt—record-breaking Olympic sprinter, built for explosive speed and unmatched in short-distance events—arguably the fastest man on the planet—blazing through the 100-meter sprint in less than ten seconds. That guy looked like an NFL linebacker. Pure power. Then, moments later, you’d see the marathon runners line up—lean, wiry, and built for endurance.
Imagine if Usain Bolt had tried to run the 10,000-meter race. He would’ve burned out halfway through. Why? Because he wasn’t built for that race.
We all have different gifts. If we try to get into someone else’s skin, and try to be somebody else that we’re not, we’re going to be miserable.
What Has God Given You?
In Romans 12:6, Paul writes, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (NIV). That means when God crated you in your mother’s womb, He gave you something very specific and on purpose.
I believe three key things shape how you live out your purpose:
1. Your Gifts
These are your natural, God-given strengths. Some people are wired for leadership. Others for compassion. Some for organization. Others for creativity.
If you try to serve outside of your gifting, you’ll probably feel out of place. But when you serve within your God-given gifts, you’ll experience greater joy, confidence, and impact—because you’re right where He designed you to be.
2. Your Skills
Skills are a gift in progress—something you can grow with time, training, and persistence. If God is leading you to be an engineer, a counselor, a teacher—or anything else that serves others—He’ll equip you to develop the skills you need. Your willingness to grow is part of walking in your purpose.
3. Your Desires
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (NKJV). When we walk in step with Him, He plants desires in us that align with His will.
My wife, Donna, has always had a strong desire for art and design. That’s her lane. It fuels her. It reflects God’s creative image through her. And it’s not the same as mine—and that’s okay.
Let Go of Comparison
When you run the race God marked out for you, you’ll move forward with purpose—not pressure.
As a communicator, one of the biggest battles I’ve faced is the temptation to try to be like someone else. There’s always a better speaker, a sharper thinker, or a smoother voice. But God hasn’t called me to be someone else—He’s asked me to be faithful with what He’s given me.
God wants us to build on our strengths—not someone else’s.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (NIV). Did you catch that? There’s a race with your name on it.
The choice to live intentionally in Christ requires you to identify what God has placed in your hands—and use it for His glory. That’s your race.
You may be in a season of raising young kids, leading a business, navigating retirement, or walking through transition. Wherever you are, you’re not sidelined. You’re in a God-ordained lane with unique opportunities to live out your gifts.
ONE THING
Here’s your challenge for this week: Identify one gift God has placed in you—and take one step to develop or use it.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic. If your gift is encouragement, send a few texts that speak life-giving words to people. If it’s administration, offer to help someone organize a project. If you’re a teacher, share something you’ve learned.
Small steps lead to significant impact over time.
And if you’re still unsure what your gift is? Ask someone you trust. Often others see it more clearly than we do.
You don’t have to run faster. You just have to run your race.
You were designed with intentionality, gifted by God, and invited to live out His purpose—right where you are. You were never meant to be a copy. You were created to glorify Christ through the unique design He placed in you.
So stay in your lane. And run it well.
Share Your Story
Has living intentionally made a difference in your life? We’d love to hear about it. Your story could inspire someone else to take their next step toward hope, healing, and purpose. Share your story here—because your story matters.
