Your Abilities Are a Great Road Map - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - January 02, 2026

Audio By Carbonatix

“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.” Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)

Once upon a time, some animals wanted to start a school. They decided the courses would include running, climbing, swimming, and flying. Then they decided that all the animals should take all the courses.

That’s where the problem started. 

The duck was better than his teacher at swimming, but he only made passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. So they made him drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This wore down his webbed feet, and his grade dropped to average in swimming. But everyone felt less threatened and more comfortable with that—except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but because of so much makeup work in swimming, he caught pneumonia and had to drop out of school. 

The squirrel showed outstanding ability in climbing, but he was extremely frustrated in flying class because the teacher made him start from the ground instead of the treetop. He developed muscle cramps from overextending, so he only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running. 

The eagle was the troublemaker. In climbing class, he beat everyone to the top—but flew instead. Refusing to participate in swimming class, he was expelled. 

As you might imagine, the animals’ school didn’t work. 

Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else.

It’s the same for people. God has designed each person different from all the others. When you expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure. 

God made you to be you. He has given you unique abilities, and he wants you to use them the way he intended. 

Are you wondering what God’s will is for your life? Look at your abilities. The act like a road map; they help point you in the direction you should go. 

The Bible says, “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT).

Through your abilities, God has equipped you to do his will. As you use those abilities, you’ll start to see how he produces “every good thing” in your life.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Your Gift Brings Hope to the World

Start every day with God’s word—and share the hope with others! 

Thank you for your generous gift below to help share the hope of Jesus with more people through Daily Hope!

 As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s "Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise." 

This resource will help you start each day encouraged and filled with the purpose, peace, and promises of God.

Request yours below—and thank you for your generous partnership!

 *The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.