Beneath the SurfaceSample

Michael Phelps has won more awards than any other competitive swimmer in history. He won eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics, four gold medals and two silver medals in the 2012 Olympics, and five gold medals and one silver medal in the 2016 Olympics. Then he retired.

Phelps practiced a lot, but that wasn't the only reason he was such a great swimmer. His body is a little, well, quirky — in a good way. His arms are just slightly longer than normal arms, which gave him a huge advantage in competition. His arms were like oars on a row boat, pulling him forward. But his legs are also slightly shorter than normal legs, which made it easier for him to kick faster. His legs were like a propeller, pushing him ahead.

Michael Phelps' body seemed designed for swimming, and he used his body's unique design to be the most effective swimmer he could be.

The Bible tells us that we were all designed for something. Maybe you're a great artist, a good cook, a fast runner, or great with numbers. Maybe you learn other languages quickly, have a beautiful singing voice, or play the guitar really well. Whatever it is, God gave you that skill for the purpose of using it to serve others. Think about your talents — the stuff you love doing. Is there a way you can use your skill to help other people? How can you put that into practice this week?