Why Me?

The Defeatist “Why Me?”

Leaders who ask this way have chosen the role of victim. They struggle with the negative aspects of the context in which God placed them. They don’t see the purpose in it all. In a sense, they are ego-centric. They are complainers, whiners, angonizers. Here’s an example of what such a leader would say:

“Lord, I’m struggling with so many demands on my time. I’m trying to navigate the treacherous waters of our organization but I’m hindered by so many limitations. I can’t do it when I’m surrounded by volunteers who won’t pull their weight. I’m wondering if I’m even the one to be here. Why do I even try?”

The Empowered “Why Me?”

Leaders who ask this way have chosen the assignment to which God has called them. They understand why they were created - their purpose. They see that their context is full of opportunity to be used by God to bring about eternal differences in real people’s’ lives. They are not ego-centric, but they understand they are part of the bigger God-centric. Here’s an example of what such a leader would say:

“I was gifted by God to bring certain gifts, abilities, and strengths to the demands of by context. I was “summoned to lead”, as Leonard Sweet wrote.  I’m navigating waters I’m not certain about in my organization, but I am giving it all I can and with God’s direction and filling I will make a difference in a number of lives for eternity.”

There is a big difference between Defeatist and Empowered. A ministry leader’s vulnerability to burnout sky-rockets with the former and is virtually non-existent with the latter.

Which kind of “Why Me?” Person are you becoming? Perhaps 2013 is your year to take the EMPOWERED route.

photo credit: Marco Bellucci via photopin cc