Like No One Else’s

Like No One Else’s

Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. Proverbs 28:26

My brother Linden was a pretty good athlete. Unfortunately for him, he was cursed with an older brother—me—who received a great deal of athletic accolades, making difficult comparisons for him. He didn’t particularly love any sport but enjoyed several. He was an adequate student, but there was nothing about school that excited or motivated him. His specialty was carving out a role as the class jokester.

Making his classmates laugh was a greater accomplishment to Linden than anything he did in the classroom or the sports arena, much to my parents’ chagrin. Both teachers, they searched high and low for the key to unlocking his potential, especially academically. Finally he discovered what ignited his passion—dentistry. A whole new world opened up for Linden when he discovered what God had placed on his heart. After being an average student in high school, he blossomed into an outstanding student at Grand Valley State University and then in dental school at the University of Minnesota. His abilities took off once he had a dream to pursue. He had finally connected with the passion that God had placed within his heart.

Today Linden owns his own dental practice, and I’m extremely proud of him. He uses his God-given talents to help a variety of clients, including those not able to pay. His potential was not in following in my footsteps, fulfilling his teachers’ expectations, or in any well-worn path in our family. It was in following the passion God had given him and pursuing the joy God had put in front of him. He continues to fulfill his purpose simply by being himself.

That’s how it should be for all of us. We need a dream to follow, a passion to pursue, and a calling to recognize. We don’t fulfill our purposes by following others’ paths. We fulfill them simply by being ourselves. When we discover who we really are and what we are designed to do, it opens up a whole new world.

Uncommon Key > Find out what God has put in your heart and follow it. The passions He has placed there not only fulfill your needs but also His purposes.