3 Keys To Unlock Your Potential

potential

Do you know what makes a masterpiece so valuable? There are two things. This first is the artist. The painter, sculptor, or the architect is key. It is especially valuable if there is a clear connection to the masterpiece, like a signature. The second element that makes a masterpiece valuable is simply what someone is willing to pay for it.

These elements are found in you, which means that the potential within you is masterpiece living. Do you recognize that you have masterpiece potential within you? In the New Testament, the writer Paul writes: “For we are God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10). The angst of that truth is that most of us want to know why our lives do not reflect that statement.

Two Reasons

First, you have an enemy who wants nothing more than to keep you from living your God-given potential. Why? Because your enemy, Satan, is jealous and wants to be in the place of the One who made you His masterpiece.

Second, this is a part of your daily life. This is something that empowers you in every moment of every day. And by working on this area you will be working in co-operation with God to release your potential, your masterpiece potential. It is character. Character unlocks potential.

Let me give you a few keys to unlock character.

1.      Compare Your Character To Jesus.

Often we compare our character to someone we know who is not doing as well as we are. We do this just to make ourselves feel better, to think that whatever our character flaws, all is well. On your worst days, you pick the most despicable among the human race and think “at least I’m not as bad as…” How would your life look different if instead of justifying and lowering your character standard you raise it to allow God to begin to work in you to make your character more like Jesus? That is His desire.

2.      Preserver During Tough Times.

Perseverance is a character builder. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4). Why would Paul encourage us to rejoice when we run into problems and trials? Because it ultimately allows us to develop character and character is a key element in living out our faith and unlocking our God-given potential.

When facing problems and trials most people cry out to God by saying “Why can’t you get me out of this?” How would you grow in your character if instead you prayed “What do you want me to get out of this?”  While God does not create all problems and trials in your life, He will use them to develop and grow your character if you will allow Him to. God, as always, is working on your character to be more like His Son Jesus.

3.      Listen To What Those Who Know, Love, And Care About Your Potential Are Saying.

Are you brave enough and trusting enough to ask those who know, love, and care about you living out your potential to ask them what character flaws you need to work on? It is painful. You must not become defensive. Yet, it is one of the most valuable pieces of our relationships. Notice, I didn’t say listen to just any “Joe” off the street, but instead those who have your best in mind and desire to see you live your masterpiece potential.

Here’s the great news, you do not have to do this on your own. You don’t “white knuckle” your way to a character that will unlock potential. God empowers you and does this in and through you: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Our part is to willingly, wantingly, and continually submit our lives to Him in obedience.

I love the word potential. You have masterpiece living potential within you. He has written your name on the palms of His hands on the cross and God paid the price of His Son’s death for you. And that potential is unlocked by character: Character unlocks potential.

What one character trait do you know you need to allow God to work on today to unlock your God-given potential? Who is someone in your life that knows and loves you that will walk in accountability with you? Take action right now!

P.S. Part of my life mission is adding value to your life through communicating in a way that helps you release your potential. Take a few moments and check out this talk I did this past weekend on Potential.