Write (and Live) from your CORE

Read this book!

5 Navigators: Aligning With Your God-Given Spiritual Gift by Dayna Mazzuca

I thought I’d get the recommendation and buying option out of the way first. 🙂  I learned about this book last fall when I attended a writers’ conference and went to a workshop based on the book put on by the author, and…

My mind was blown.

The workshop was targeted at writers, (obviously, since it was a writers’ conference!) but the applications are for everyone. In a nutshell, she builds on the passage from Ephesians 4:11 which talks about what some people call “the fivefold ministry” – pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, and prophets. These aren’t the only spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible, and everyone can and does operate in all five at any given time. However, the author feels that every believer has one that is dominant and that affects how we approach the world. In effect, when we discover our dominant gift, we can work and live from the CORE of our being – and that makes all the difference!

I can’t go into all the details here, but her workshop was a “revelation” moment for me.

I assumed that I was a “teacher”. After all, that is my profession – and I’m good at it! However, after reflecting on her examples and doing the exercises, I was surprised to find out that I am actually a PASTOR.

Sure, I’ve been in ministry, so it’s not even really about that. It’s about the heart. The motivation. The “style” of doing things and why – the purpose behind what I do. Let me give you one example.

Teachers want to make sure knowledge is imparted. They are likely concerned with getting the facts straight and making sure they’ve done their research before presenting things to others. Now, that isn’t to say I don’t do research, but imparting knowledge isn’t number one for me. Even as a public school teacher I was most concerned about meeting my students’ needs as opposed to covering the curriculum. Pastors are more concerned about how people are doing on an emotional level. They want to “minister” to people. It is a subtle but important difference.

I know this is absolutely true when it comes to my books. I want to tell a good story, but I am more concerned about ministering to people who read my books than teaching them something or even just entertaining them. That’s what I love to hear the most – that something I’ve written has impacted someone in a positive way. That’s ministry.

I could go on and on with more examples from each of the five areas, but instead, I highly recommend you get Dayna’s book and study it for yourself! (See, I’m being a pastor again, not trying to impart knowledge.) That workshop (and subsequently, the book) has changed the way I look at tasks and my responses to the world.

I will likely include more information in the new year since it is my intention to study it and make more applications as I plan for 2023. In the meantime – get the book!

My Review:

The book is based on Ephesians 4:11 which talks about the “fivefold” ministry. BUT there is so much more! The premise is that everyone operates naturally from one of these five. Your gift affects your tone, your voice, your motivation, and your intention. Knowing which one is your strength will empower you in every aspect of life. I found the book to be a revelation! It is very impactful and I highly recommend it.

(And yes – you should try to leave a review for every book you read – especially if you enjoy it!!!)