No, “EST” is not a personality or a leadership test determination.  It doesn’t tell you that I am outgoing or introverted, my favorite color or even if I am going to be a good “fit” for your team.  It came out of a quick conversation I had with one of our pastors.  He said, “I realized that I am not the smartest or the wisest person in the room.  There will always be someone smarter and wiser.”

I appreciated their humble approach to learning.  It got me thinking – “Do I consider myself an “est” – the best at something.  Fastest, smartest, prettiest, funniest, quietest, loudest, and then put “best” in front of anything.  All our lives, we quest to be the best at areas that are important to us.  As a young adult, I wanted to be the best at things.  I ran track and worked hard at it.  I was fast but not fast enough to make it to the state track meet.  I was smart and received an academic scholarship to USF.  But, I wasn’t smart enough to finish with an “A” GPA.  Even now, I can sing but I don’t even rank in the top three of my family members who can sing.

But, I have this drive to be the best I can be when I pursue something.  I think it is healthy to want to excel at anything you do.  Like most, I imagine that creates a great tension in your life.  Here is how I resolved it:

I am not an “EST,” I am a “ME.”

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)  

Four things God says in His word.  

(1)  I knew you

(2) I formed you

(3) I set you apart

(4) I appointed you for a purpose

In the end, I really am an “EST.”  I am an “EST” at being “ME.”  Keep being an “EST” at being “YOU.”