Many of us want to know there is a reason why we are here on this earth. We need to believe we have a purpose beyond our daily work and toil. We yearn to hear the voice of God or see the writing in the sky that will explain our mission, our purpose, and the path to achieving it. There is a simple reason for this: we were created on purpose and for purpose. Purpose is built within the DNA of every human being. It was God's design from the very beginning.
We all want to be happy—to have a fulfilling, purpose-driven, God inspired career; to have healthy, happy, loving relationships; to be financially secure, etc. But happiness can elude us. We often don't see our purpose. We may lack a direction. We may know our dream but feel it's too far away to achieve. Many of us don't know how to take the first steps. We are waiting for that voice, that sign from on high. Waiting can lead to drifting, and drifting leads to a life lived without purpose.
The truth is that most of us will never hear a booming voice in the sky. We'll never get that clear sign that says, "Do this. Now!" But what if that's not a bad thing? What if God doesn't speak from the sky because he has already given you the answer? We believe it is a question of knowing how to listen. If we listen to our own being, we find there is another way that the Lord speaks directly to each and every one of us: through our gifting. That's right. Your natural gifts and abilities are the mark of God in you, nudging you toward the life path that will give you the greatest fulfillment, purpose, and, yes, happiness.
In this book, which accompanies the course of the same name, we want to help you discover and develop your innate gifting. Tending Your Garden uses the Dream and Achieve® (DNA) process, a method developed by Lance Tanaka that has helped thousands of people overcome their purposelessness by: • identifying their strengths and passions, • developing practical action plans with effective steps they can take immediately, and • building a discipline to do what needs to be done.
Let this book, in conjunction with the course and our DNA® certified coaches, walk you through this most important process. It is our passion to help you to identify your gifting so you can tend your garden, glorify God, and experience something amazing.