what’s holding you back?
"Your strengths will take you only as far as your weaknesses will allow." So states Harry and Christine Beckwith in the book, You, Inc. Pretty good advice.
Most people have a couple of areas in life where they excel. Some folks are great with numbers; others can speak well. Some people inspire vision, while others are great encouragers. Still, others are good organizers, and some are good with mechanical skills.
God has gifted every person with certain aptitudes to develop throughout their lives. These strengths provide significant meaning and fulfillment as they are used wisely for themselves and others.
But that is only half the story. We also each have weaknesses. If we do not recognize and address our weaknesses, they can overshadow our strengths and keep us from where we want to go in life.
A wealthy young man once approached Jesus and asked how to be sure of entering heaven. He explained that he was faithful in keeping God's laws. Jesus acknowledged his faithfulness - his strengths - then went on to fully answer the question. The young man had one glaring weakness - his desire for wealth controlled him. Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him. The young man went away sad.
"Your strengths will take you only as far as your weaknesses will allow." We've all known people who are outstanding at some skill but are held back by a severe weakness.
It is good to enjoy and develop your strengths. It is also good to recognize your weaknesses and deal with them productively. Imagine keeping the entire law perfectly but forfeiting heaven because of your insatiable desire for more money. The Beckwiths call this flaw your "If only . . ." “John/Jane would go far "if only. . ."
So, what's your "if only?" If you don't know, get some good friends to tell you. If you do know, what are you doing to handle it productively?
Another way to consider this matter looks like this. "Yes, but . . ." Harry is a gifted speaker. "Yes, but he can't control his temper." Melinda is such a hard worker. "Yes, but she frequently gossips." There are many competent, quality people, but their "Yes, but . . ." overshadows their good qualities.
I have a close friend who is an expert in leadership development. He has done executive training for many large corporations for many years. Jim frequently talks about your "hallway" reputation. People may react to you in one manner face to face, but they tell co-workers a different story as they are walking down the hallway back to their office. Your "hallway" reputation usually describes your "if only . . .," and your "Yes, but . . .". In other words, your weaknesses are strangling your strengths, and you may not even realize it.
We all need a "Jesus" person who both recognizes and appreciates our strengths while at the same time, helps us to confront our shortcomings. Are you aware of both your strengths and weaknesses? Are you being held back because you do not improve your "If only" and "Yes, but?" Do you have a few people who are helping you to develop both parts of your life?
Imagine a successful young man who held to his morals and ethics, except for one glaring aspect of his life. Consider having that area exposed only to turn away from the one person who, more than any other, could make his life better. No wonder the rich young ruler walked away sad. "Your strengths will only take you as far as your weaknesses will allow."
