Water seeks its own level, and churches don’t grow beyond their leadership, so get bigger, stronger, greater as you grow into your Possible You
by Sam Chand
As pastors and leaders, we must remember that leadership comes with a price. We go through seasons of refinement. Maybe we started with a passion to change the world, but then came the difficulties. Maybe we got stuck even without the difficulties.
In living our lives, there are two versions of ourselves that influence our beliefs and decisions. All of us have the choice as to which version we will fixate on more and which version has the most sway over our lives.
The first version of “you” that influences your life is the Historical You. This you is comprised of your past—your past decisions, your past relationships, your past callings, jobs, hobbies, attitudes, beliefs, and so on. The Historical You is who you have been and where you have been. It’s why you’re here today. There’s value and merit to the Historical You. Without that past, you wouldn’t be who you are.
Consider a newborn baby. On Day One of the baby’s life, he or she can potentially speak any language in the world. However, where in the world the baby is born—to what parents, in what culture, in what nation—will determine what language he or she learns to speak first and with what accent. A German baby will speak German. An Italian baby will speak Italian. A Chinese baby will speak Chinese.
However, the potential to speak any language doesn’t ever fully go away. As an adult, a person can study other languages and learn them as well. Here is where we see the shift. The Historical You does much to inform your identity in the present moment, but it only does so much to serve you as you move forward.
That’s where the “Possible You” comes in.
The Possible You is comprised of all the dormant possibilities God has placed inside of you. Examples of these possibilities include learning a new language, finding a new skill like writing, making new friendships, learning more about God, and so many more. The Possible You is made up of many exciting, unexplored realms.
Some of us get stuck when our Historical You hinders us from seeing and chasing our Possible You. We think our Historic Self is where life is, when really, there is so much more God has for us. Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years on Robben Island off the coast of South Africa. For those long years, he broke rocks, did hard labor, was beaten, and had no privileges.
Mandela’s future looked bleak. But then one day, he gained his freedom. One day, he walked out of that prison and when he did, he changed the world. How did this happen?
We can all chase our Possible You by recognizing that our possibilities are greater than our histories. Once we realize that, we’ll stop being held back by our yesterdays.
Just like Nelson Mandela, we must keep waiting and preparing—during the fifth year, the fifteenth year, the twenty-fifth year…despite how we feel, know that a brighter future is coming. God is using the season you are in today, no matter its trials, to prepare you for what’s coming. The Nelson Mandela we celebrate today would not have been the same without Robben Island. The work you’ll do for the Lord requires that you allow Him to shape, mold, and refine you beforehand. That is the price of leadership.
Think of some of the greatest leaders in the Bible: David. Esther. Peter. These were people who were shepherds, fishermen, and beauty queens before God’s plan came to fruition in their lives. They could have stayed stuck in their previous, Historical identity. Instead, they realized that God saw more in them—He had possibilities wired into them—and they embraced those opportunities with God by their side.
And one day…it will all be worth it. Say to yourself today, “I’m a world-changer. I won’t give up. This is my calling. And it’s going to be awesome.” Don’t give up. Stay right where you are and get ready to move to a brand new place at the right time.
The question is, which version of you will influence your life today? I pray you’ll allow the Possible You to be at the forefront of your mind and heart. CGM
