Unique Selling Proposition
What Do You Bring To The Table?
Changing careers brings up a lot of existential questions about life and meaning. I used to be good at something, and now I am starting something new. Will I be good at that too? What do I bring to the table?
As a writer, I need to prove to you, my reader, that I have something to offer you. Why would you spend your time reading my article when you could be doing something else? What do I bring to you that only I have to offer?
Each of us has something unique that we bring to the table. It’s not prideful to do a little digging and find that thing. God delights in making each snowflake unique (that’s a lot of snowflakes just in Alaska alone), and so He delights in making each person unique. We each reflect His glory in ways that no one else can. I want to show you some of the ways I reflect God’s glory for two reasons: I want you to love God more, and I want you to think about how you reflect His glory and start doing it more intentionally.
Hospitality
Egyptians are masters of hospitality. Because I was raised by Egyptians in the USA, I love hospitality, but I still do it the way I was raised, which is a little confusing for Americans. For example, I will usually try to pay for the meal when I go out to a restaurant. It’s about gaining honor, and showing the person that I am with that they are valuable to me. I also expect people to eat a lot when they come to my house. I’m not as traditional as my parents, and I won’t actually put food on your plate that you don’t want, but I come pretty close. No one can leave hungry or thirsty from my house.
The key to hospitality is actually seeing your guest. When you look at them, you discern how you can show kindness to them in that moment. What do they need to grow? How can I provide that? How can I show them that I see them, appreciate them, and want to honor them? Amazingly, God is the model we can draw from. God is generous and hospitable to us. I love to highlight that in my writing because He has welcomed us into His family, and He is the most generous host who loves to provide for us. I can’t over-presume on His hospitality, since He did not hold back His only Son, Jesus from me (Romans 8:32).
Prayer
A few years ago, I read A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller, and it made me into a prayer warrior. I had never understood why I needed to pray since God is all-knowing, and was already aware of my life and problems. I also didn’t understand how repentance is the key to more faith and joy in life, and repenting to God in prayer brings powerful transformation in my life.
Then I realized how prayer is an invitation to a meal with my Father in heaven where we can share life together and enjoy each other’s company. I also saw my complete dependence on God for everything, therefore I must pray about everything. He is eager to provide, and He is glorified when His provision comes in response to my request. His purpose behind wanting me to pray is more for me to see His hand than for Him to be “activated” by my prayers. Now I know that God leads me to pray in the way that He has already decided to act, as a way of including me in His mighty work of redemption. Amazingly, prayer changes how God acts. He is sovereign and, at the same time, our prayers and choices matter. We will be pondering that mystery for eternity.
Generosity
My dad was the most generous person I have ever met. It’s always been my goal to be like him in generously blessing others with my time, effort, resources, and affection. Kindness and generosity create an upward spiral of more kindness and generosity, and more empowerment to live in the counter-cultural reality of God’s abundance, which will overwhelm and overflow the scarcity mindset of this present world.
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate generosity on the cross. His arms were nailed open, and His heart of love was exposed, yet He was terribly ridiculed in that moment. What a Savior, what a King! He came to suffer for our sake, and now shares His exaltation with us. Let’s take up His invitation to the wedding banquet and bring as many people with us as we can to enjoy eternal life together with Him.
Witness
Sometimes we just need someone else to witness what is happening in our lives. We need someone to come watch and cheer us on, just as they would if we were playing in a sports match. God has given me the ability to cheer for others, and to enjoy being a part of it by witnessing God’s mighty hand at work.
It’s always productive to spend our time witnessing Jesus’ life in the Bible. The entire Bible is a witness to Jesus, and the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). If you need help sharing your testimony, just taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). We are all just hungry beggars telling other hungry beggars where to find good bread.
Healing
I enjoyed my career as a surgeon. I felt a surge of joy as I told my patient and their family that they are healed; they will no longer have to struggle with the condition that was harming them. Surgery is a unique specialty in medicine because it can at times be the solution and the cure, even though surgery always inflicts some pain.
Isn’t God the Great Physician? He is also the first surgeon, as He put Adam to sleep in the garden before He removed one of his ribs to create Eve. He knows how to wield the surgeon’s knife. He exposes our dark, diseased hearts in order to remove the sin and pride and make us pure, holy, and righteous in Christ (Hebrews 4:11-13).
Conclusion
God wants to share these attributes with us, and many more, because He has made us in His image and called us to bear His name. We are now God’s people, and we have a calling on our lives. We see ourselves as part of a group, and we are still individuals with roles and responsibilities. We were never meant to live in isolation. Each person has a unique way that they glorify God, and we need each other to see more of God’s infinite beauty and character.
Your Turn to Play
How have you seen God’s glory reflected in your life? What qualities do you admire in others? What areas of your life need some tender compassion and growth from God? Let’s walk this journey together. Leave a comment below.
Do you crave godly friendship? Do you need someone to witness what God is doing in your life? Do you lack direction or just need some encouragement?
I would be honored to walk with you on this journey. Book a call here and we will invite God to speak through His word and through our conversation.
I definitely want the Lord to grow me in being able to be more hospitable… for various reasons I lack that skill .. but I have desire for it. This was a good reminder! Thank you.