Seeing Strength or Weakness?

Has something like this ever happened to you? Someone taps you for a job, a big job; actually, it’s the most significant leadership opportunity of your life. If a similar event has happened to you, try to recall your thoughts at the time. If not, use your imagination. Whatever the case, consider how you did (or would) respond.You might be one of those who thinks, “It’s about time someone recognized my leadership abilities and promoted me.” Hopefully, you’d have the restraint not to say that. At least not during the interview process — it might not go so well.Or is it more likely that your response would be, who me? Are you sure you’ve got the right person for the job? Certainly other candidates are better qualified and have more experience than me.If you were living in the Land of Lack at the time this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity appears, your response would probably focus on your inabilities and deficiencies. It’s the default response of people with a scarcity mindset. No matter what skills, talents, and abilities others see in you, what looms large in your mind is what you lack. I explored that more in the first post in this three-part series. Ancient history records one such encounter that is incredibly encouraging and instructive for anyone who ever dealt with a scarcity mentality. It’s a pretty safe bet that you have encountered the scarcity mindset at least once in your journeyMoses had enjoyed the abundance of the king’s palace. But at the moment of this encounter, he was exiled in the desert where a strange occurrence captured his attention. There was a burning bush that burned but was not consumed. His curiosity got the best of him, and he moved closer to investigate.Then he heard a voice from the bush that led to a conversation with the Almighty. It’s there that we pick up the story for some powerful lessons along with a profound question.In case you’re not familiar with the account, here’s a short recap:God heard the cries of the Israelites in exile and was looking for someone to lead the largest refugee resettlement in history. Here’s where we pick up the dialogue.

“So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Moses was in front of the Almighty, who just appointed him to this leadership role, and his immediate response was, “Who am I?” Is that how you would respond? I can assure you; it’s what I would have said. (As a matter of fact, for years, those exact words, “Who am I”, were my default response to every opportunity as I explain in this post.)God responded and assured Moses that the Almighty God would be with him on this job assignment. Not even that was enough to persuade Moses! He was still not sure that he was the right man for the job. — I never realized how much I had in common with Moses.As their conversation continued, Moses put forward all of his best objections as to why he was neither qualified nor capable for the job. According to holy writ, God reviewed the playbook with Moses and laid out the plan with some level of detail. God explained how Moses should approach Pharaoh, how Pharaoh would respond, and instructions of how he should respond to Pharaoh.Here’s Moses, a fugitive in the desert who saw a sight he had never seen before, drew near it, was drawn into a conversation with the Almighty, and was still unconvinced. I’m telling you, at that moment, he was the poster child for a scarcity mindset.It was then he asked, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’”Moses had probably already completed what we now call a Benjamin Franklin decision-making list of the pros and cons of God’s offer. I think we are safe to assume that, at least in his mind, the cons list was much longer than the pros, and he was inclined to excuse himself from this job offer.Look at how God responded to Moses’s question. Many people would expect God to respond with lightning, judgment, or some rebuke. At the very least, Moses was due a stern lecture or a sermon.Nope! Instead, God answered Moses’ objection with a very simple question, “What is that in your hand?” It's safe to assume God knew the answer.[clickToTweet tweet="The question, 'What's that in your hand?' was for Moses’ benefit, not God’s." quote="The question, 'What's that in your hand?' was for Moses’ benefit, not God’s."]And in case you are not familiar with what Moses was holding at the time of this encounter — it was his shepherd’s staff. A piece of wood that seemed mundane and ordinary. At least to him.At this moment, we see God employing what social scientists label an asset-based approach and using inquiry rather than instruction.Moses had already made an impressive mental list of why he couldn’t. God saw why he could.[clickToTweet tweet="Moses could only see what he lacked, God saw what he already possessed." quote="Moses could only see what he lacked, God saw what he already possessed."]Isn't that just like us? We are focused, make that consumed, with lack and our inability to do what we are asked, or called, to do. Scarcity so consumes us, that we are blind to the abundance of what we already possess.[clickToTweet tweet="Like Moses, we seek to disqualify ourselves from the opportunities of a lifetime." quote="Like Moses, we seek to disqualify ourselves from the opportunities of a lifetime."]Here’s what I love about this encounter and specifically, the What is that in your hand question, is that you, yes you, are already endowed with skills, talents, and abilities. Things that you probably see as ordinary are ideally suited to the situation at hand.Perhaps it would be helpful for you to try something I have done when I find myself obsessing over a scarcity mindset and disqualifying myself for anything of significance. Grab a sheet of paper, open your journal, or launch Evernote or your word processor. Make a list that answers this question — what’s in my hand? What are the assets — gifts, talents, abilities, and connections that I have right now.If you struggle to answer this question — which some of you will, email 3 - 5 people you know and respect and ask them to help you develop a personal inventory. You might use language like this, “I am developing a list and would like your help identifying my gifts and talents. What is something you see that comes naturally to me?” Or, “What are my areas of excellence?”Take action NOW!

• Decide to identify and appreciate your gifts, talents, and abilities.
• If you need help, find someone who can help you, and schedule time to connect.
• Join the Living Your WHY Facebook Group to connect with a group of positive peers.
• Schedule a quick connect call with me. We will discuss whatever is on your mind.
• Subscribe to access the rest of the series.

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