What Makes You Feel Most Alive?

Last weekend, my daughter attended a volleyball camp. After I dropped her off, I found myself with several hours to burn before I needed to pick her up.

True confession: when I'm out of town, I don't usually look for a church to attend on Sunday morning. But this time was different.

My daughter was nervous about the camp, and I wanted to spend some time praying for her. Yes, I could have sat in my car and prayed. God would have heard me there too. But my "rainy day friend's" husband is the pastor of a church just a few minutes from the camp. I knew they wouldn't be there that weekend, but I decided to go anyway.

As I crossed the parking lot, one of the volunteers directing traffic greeted me with a booming, "Good morning!" Three more people welcomed me as I made my way inside. Being the introvert that I am, I found a seat, pulled out my phone, and started checking messages while I waited for the service to begin.

Then a woman walked over and introduced herself. We discovered she had known my rainy day friend since she was a baby. Coincidence? I don't think so.

When the worship music started, something unexpected happened. I'm not much of a crier, but the music hit me!

Then came the sermon (you can watch it here).

One of the verses the pastor shared was Ephesians 2:10:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

This verse is one I've been thinking about and talking with friends recently. I've been asking myself some hard questions: Am I doing the work God prepared for me? Am I using the gifts He's given me? Am I spending my time on the things that matter most?

Then the pastor asked a question:

"What are you doing when you feel most alive?"

He talked about our purpose and explained that we are God's workmanship, and the purpose of the workmanship is to glorify the One who made it. He admitted he had no idea what work God had prepared for each of us, but he challenged us to consider what we enjoy, where God has gifted us, and how those things can be used to serve Him.

My mind went to Make Monday Matter. One of the things I enjoy most is sharing what God is teaching me through the Make Monday Matter blog and podcast. I love writing about how God shows up in the everyday moments and helping people see that a relationship with Him doesn't have to be complicated.

If had skipped church that morning, I would've missed the gifts God had for me. I could have stayed in my car. I could have grabbed a coffee (okay, I did) or wandered through a few stores until camp was over. Instead, God met me in a church I'd never attended before. He used the people there and the message to encourage me.

It also made me think about the people serving that morning. The man greeting cars in the parking lot had no idea his cheerful "Good morning!" would make a first-time visitor feel welcome. He was doing the work God had placed in front of him.

What are you doing when you feel most alive?

Teaching? Fixing things? Listening to people, parenting your children, coaching, creating, serving, or encouraging. Whatever it is, God gave you those gifts for a reason. He prepared good works for you to do long before you ever knew what they were.

You are God's handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus

to do good works,

which He prepared

in advance for you to do.

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About Make Monday Matter

Make Monday Matter is my weekly Christian devotional where I share reflections on faith, running, and the small ways God shows up in everyday life.