What do you do better than 10,000 others? Where in life do you excel? How do you invest those assets to enrich the lives of others?

A simple acrostic guides my prayer for family and friends. It also reminds me of where I need continuing personal development. The acrostic is SPIRE$. 

S – Spiritual
P – Physical
I – Intellectual
R – Relational
E – Emotional
$ – Financial 

Take a few moments now and more time later to consider your personal asset map. On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 representing the highest and best, rate yourself in each of these areas. For example, Spiritual: How up close and personal is your walk with God? How clearly do you hear his voice? How immediately do you obey what he tells you to do?

Let’s try one more. Financial: Do you earn all you can? Give all you can? Save all you can? Make wise financial decisions?

How can you use your stronger areas to serve your weaker areas? Again, an example is helpful. If you are strong relationally, how can you use that strength to connect with others who are strong in one of your weaker areas so that you can learn from them?

If you are strong financially, how can you use your resources to help you gain physical strength? One example would be to join a gym and hire a coach who can help you develop the physical discipline you need to gain strength and to choose the right kinds of meals in the right measure.

God has blessed each of us with a measure of wealth in each of these areas. How well are we honoring him and serving others with what he has provided? 

This is not an effort to impose guilt. You do not need to report your evaluation to anyone except those you ask for help or instruction. How can you move from where you are in each of these areas toward your personal highest and best? Who can help you get there? 

Each of us has room to grow. Let’s grow in the right direction. Let’s live the kinds of lives where God will one day say to us what he says to the five and two gold bag servants:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (verse 23)

Take a moment and ponder your strongest strength and consider how you will build on it. 

Take another moment and consider your most significant weakness. Is it a critical weakness that could sink your battleship? If so, get the help you need immediately. If not, add self-discipline and wise instruction in this area while also strengthening your greatest strengths. 

Do more of what you do best without allowing anything you do not excel in to hinder you. This is how you position yourself day by day to honor God and serve others. This is how you can pray for yourself and others.

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I will work on my strongest strengths and critical weaknesses so that I may live a life that honors God and serves others.

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