Daniel Im

Pastor + Author

Daniel Im

competition vs. achiever

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Some of you may not know, but I am an intense believer in the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment. Now I know the stigma that veils many assessments (i.e. assessments aren’t accurate, it will box me in, etc), but this StrengthsFinder assessment is extremely different. Based on millions of interviews and over half a century of academic research, this assessment accurately reveals what your natural talents are (I know because I’ve talked to countless number of people who have taken the assessment and loved it). Anyway, my goal of this post isn’t to sell the assessment, but to talk about a certain aspect of it. (In the future, I will continue to talk about strengths and talents.)

When I reflect on my past, I realize that I have never actually won many things. In all of my Tae Kwon Do competitions, I would always get third place or worst. In my short career as a 12 year old hockey player, I got the MVP award. Hahaha…okay I wish. Instead of the MVP, I got the MIP award – most improved player. And we all know that the MIP award is the award given to the worst player. Anyway, in all of that I have never actually won many things. However, even though I was deeply disappointed with not winning, I quickly got over it and went on with life. Why? Because “competition” is not one of my talents (themes) – “achiever” is!

If I had competition, then I would have a deep inner desire to win first place in all things. That is definitely not me. I don’t care if I get first place or second, all I really care about is working hard and doing the best that I can do. In other words, I have a great deal of stamina, and I work hard, but winning isn’t necessarily on the top of my priorities. Having said all that, I do like to win, but it’s just not everything to me.

Now what does all this information have to do with you?

Let me answer that question with a quote that my brother in law (Michael Hu) told me: “Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu Wu

In other words, in a culture where there is hardly any emphasis on self-knowledge, true greatness and significance will only be achieved when you discover the unique way that God has created you – the distinct fingerprints of God on your life.

significance

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One thing that unites us all as human beings is a desire or a craving for significance.

When you search deep down inside of your soul, you will find a deep hunger for significance. In fact, you don’t even need to do much soul searching to discover that craving for significance. Think about today, was there a moment when you wanted someone else to see what you were doing? Did you do something to please someone or to be pleased by someone? All of these are inklings of our craving for significance.

For example, even my act of writing this post or creating this blog hints at my deep craving for significance.

We all have this craving for significance. Some of us ignore it, some of us surpress it, and some of us even flaunt it. I believe that do any of those would be less than human and less than noble. What we need to do is embrace our craving for significance and honestly look at it.

In what one area do we really want significance? Is it in your career? relationships? academics? Let’s get a bit more detailed. What do you really value? What is the desire of your heart? What is the one thing that you want to do on this earth before you die?

When we embrace our craving for significance, look at it long enough, and peel back all of the layers, we see one thing…

…the fingerprint of God.

another attempt

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another blog?

no..

…it’s an attempt to challenge the norm

…it’s an attempt to encourage all people their journey

…it’s an attempt to introduce new theories and models for doing ministry

…it’s an attempt to be transparent

…it’s an attempt to awaken others 2 change just as I have been awakened2change

this is the blog of Daniel Sangi Im

thanks for reading