By Bobby Coverston

Today’s reading was such an inspiring reminder that I, like you, am not meant to be a carbon copy of any other human on the planet, copying the things they do. I have gifts, talents and abilities that God has put in motion before the foundations of the earth that were meant to have a ripple effect throughout all eternity. I may never be rich, famous, creative, organized or any other litany of things, but I was never meant to be those things. I was meant to be me. You were meant to be you.

Pastor Rick Warren beautifully, and quite extensively, validated every inkling of ability a human might possess as an opportunity to glorify God, bless others and experience joy. I was inspired after reading this. But then I was struck with a sad, tragic reality.

What if you and I don’t? What if we don’t do those things that are so unique to us, meant for God’s glory, others’ benefit and our own joy? Herein lies one of the greatest, silent tragedies of the human experience -- withholding.

Ever since the fall, lies were introduced to our psyche. The enemy wants us to doubt our uniqueness, doubt our effectiveness, doubt our influence and impact and slink back into the seemingly safe confines of a mediocre existence that doesn’t ruffle any feathers or dare to dream. These lies can be as vicious as “You’re not good enough,” “You’re too old,” “No one will accept you,” or “You will never really be happy.” They can also be as subtle as “You shouldn’t rock the boat,” “It’s not your place to impose,” “It’s better to keep the peace,” “Leave that to the experts,” and so on… all lies.

Many of us, because of our environments growing up, or abuses we endured, or negative experiences reinforced by ill-willed people, have allowed those lies to take root and they no longer become a voice but a belief. It is no longer a voice in my head that says, “You’re not good enough,” it’s my own voice saying, “I’m not good enough.” So we allow that belief, rooted in sin, steeped in lies, to be the motivating factor for our behavior. Often that behavior is not an outward act, but rather the withholding of the act we were meant to do.

Here’s an example: God has given someone profound empathy but they were chastised and ridiculed when they allowed that empathy for others to be put on display. So now when they intuitively sense someone’s pain they allow the negative belief that says, “It’s not my place to impose, that’s personal for them,” to dictate their behavior and they do nothing. They withhold the very thing they were designed to do. This is not just a tragedy for themselves, but they rob those that would be potential benefactors of their unique gifting.

In conclusion, let’s not only celebrate and be inspired by the infinite possibilities that God has uniquely put in the hearts of humans, but let's also ACT on them! The world needs what only you can bring.

Bobby Coverston is music pastor at Green Bay Community Church