The Man (or Woman) in the Mirror

Wishing, praying, or trying to be somebody else won’t work. Your potential is yours and yours alone.

Have you ever tried to be someone you weren’t? When we don’t like where we are in life, it is tempting to change who we are in an attempt to experience success. After my wife and I failed the church plant in Little Rock, we made the decision to move to Ft. Lauderdale and took a position as young adult pastor of a growing megachurch. To my surprise, a year later, the pastor had made the decision to transition out and he asked me to fill the role of lead pastor! I suddenly felt the pressure to become what the congregation wanted me to be so that they would stay and the church would continue to grow. I felt insecure.

This is a lot like how Moses felt when God asked Him to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. His response was not one of excitement or confidence. He said to God, “Who am I to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) He didn’t think he was the right man for the job and did not believe Pharaoh would listen to him. But God was quick to let Moses know he wouldn’t be alone and that He would give Moses signs to show that it was God who sent Him.

God has already given you the tools you need to accomplish what He’s calling you to do. The man (or woman) staring back at you in the mirror is the right one for the job! Rather than focusing on what you don’t have or what you can’t do, why not ask, “What’s in my hand that God can use?” I had to come to this realization when I felt the pressure to change myself to please others. Acting like my congregation’s former pastor wasn’t helping me reach my potential. I had to use my unique voice, leadership style, and creativity to lead the church forward.

Take some time to read today’s passages of scripture, and reflect on what you already have that can help you reach your potential. What are your gifts? What are you passionate about? What are your experiences? These questions will lead you to unleash your potential and the power of God within you.