My mother is ninety-four, and I still hear her telling me to do it as if I were doing it for God
As a young boy, I remember my mom saying to me, "Whatever you do, do it as if you were doing it for God." For some reason those words have stayed with me to this day, even now as a young man of 58 years of age. Whether it was washing the car or mowing the lawn, remember, do it as if you were doing it for God.
As I reflect upon those words, I believe they have served me well. Tucked away in the inner recesses of my mind, those words motivate me today. They've encouraged me to live up to my potential.
Ah, there's a great word, potential. What is it? Potential is what could be, what you are capable of becoming, what is possible.
Potential is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
Dr. George Powell
A reluctant leader
5Talents asked me to share some ways I've been developing my potential and using my God given talents. I tell you that because honestly I feel a bit awkward talking about my accomplishments, as small as they are, in comparison to the greats of the faith. But really, it is not about me comparing myself with anyone else, nor you comparing yourself to others. It is about each of us living up to our potential.
For me, it all started when at the young age of 19 I decided to enroll in Bible College to prepare for a life of ministry as a Pastor. I must say I didn't go into it full of confidence. In fact, I would describe myself during that season of life, and for many years to follow, as a reluctant leader. Much like Moses in the book of Exodus, I questioned God and myself, "Who am I that I should lead the people?"
But with that still small voice of my mom reminding me to do everything as if for God and my own burning desire to live up to my highest potential, now 39 years later, God has taken me on some amazing adventures.
I've had the privilege of serving churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and now Portland, Oregon. It was here, 24 years ago, I had the incredible opportunity of actually starting a church with just my wife and two sons, who were only 9 and 4 at the time. By God's grace, and my own need and passion to grow as a leader, the church survived and actually grew to become today a church of several thousand people.
This journey has allowed me to not only serve people in the greater Portland area, but literally around the world. Through teaching, preaching, and leadership training, I've been privileged to speak in Africa: Uganda, Nairobi and Kenya; Napoli, Italy; and all over India from Darjeeling in the north to Bangalore in the south.
Most recently I was given the unique privilege of traveling with the John Maxwell Team to Guatemala and being a part of training over fifteen thousand business leaders from every major influence stream. From government officials and police force personnel to educators and entertainers, we spent a week training leaders in transformational leadership.
I say none of this to impress you. I know there are many, many others who have done so much more for the Kingdom. But I do say it to impress upon you this principle: live up to your potential.
A few questions
Are you living up to your highest potential? Are you doing all that you can? Is there something more inside of you that needs to come out? The world needs it. The world needs you. What you have to offer will make a monumental difference in someone's life.
The word potential is a powerful word that speaks of promise, opportunity, and more to come. However, to the contrary, few words are sadder than the words, unfulfilled potential. Yet, for too many, this is where they settle down.
Too many die with the music still in them, the words of a book yet to be written, or the encouragement and training yet to be offered.
Dr. George Powell
Stop believing the lies
Let me challenge you, as a reluctant leader, to dig down deep and discover your God-given potential. You have it. There's more to you.
Stop believing the lies you tell yourself that keep your potential chained in a prison. Lies like: Who am I? No one would listen anyway. So many others can do it better. I have nothing to offer. I don't have the credentials. And the list could go on and on and on. Believe me, I know.
Stop believing the voices in your past that told you, you would never amount to anything, that you didn't have what it takes, that you were a nobody.
Remember this, everybody is a somebody in God's Kingdom. And God has given you, no, He has gifted you with potential. Great potential! So determine today that you are not going to waste it. Make the decision right now that you are going to develop it.
The tragedy of life is not dying. The tragedy of life is never to have lived. Make the decision today that from now on the rest of your life is going to be the best of your life and one that is lived to its highest potential.
If you don't have a parent whose voice you hear whispering to you, then let mine suffice. Do it! Do it now! Do it as if you are doing it for God. Live to your potential!
By the way, thanks mom. You're 94 and still kicking, and I dedicate this to you.
Dr. George Powell
Pastor of Abundant Life Church in Portland, Oregon, and an independent coach, teacher and speaker certified with the John Maxwell Team.