I’m not __________________ (Good enough, smart enough, etc.)
A poor self image is an incubator for excuses. Consider Gideon, the Lord came to him and wanted to choose him for great things. He responded with
- My clan is the weakest
- I am the least
God always sees more in you than you see in yourself. Gideon was the victim of “brainwashing” from years of hearing, over and over again, things that fed the incubator and produced these excuses. Even if Gideon’s clan was the weakest and he was the least, that made no difference to God. God saw him, and sees you, not as you are, but who you could be if you believed what He thought instead of your excuses.
Now, the truth may be the you’re not good at something. You were not dealt the “game leading gene” in your DNA and that’s understandable; but to say “We are not going to play any games because I’m not good at games” is kind of a non-starter with your teens, right?
The danger of the “But I’m not..” excuse is that it cripples you to do anything. Once you think you’re broken, no good, incomplete or less than, you’ve sabotaged your self confidence.
It’s o.k. to say, “I’m not good at _____” but it’s not ok to say “I’m not good enough.” God placed you in a position to grow others and, in the process, grow yourself. He must think you’re pretty cool and worth calling you to such a great mission (a He did with Gideon), as youth ministry.
We all have our gifts and skills in youth ministry, but too often we’re put into a position that requires us to do everything and do everything well. We are overloaded by crazy expectation from others and ourselves. It’s not fair, but it’s the way it is.
So how do you kill this excuse?
Weapon of Choice: Truth
Tell yourself the truth
Make a list of what you are positive you are not good because you’ve tried and it turns our terrible every time (preaching, leading games, graphic design, promotions/marketing, etc.).
Now, is this skill on the list because you are unskilled, uneducated, or uninterested or all of the above?
If the answer is number one, watch some YouTube videos and learn how to do what you need to do.
If you’re excuse is number two, get the coaching you need to get better.
If it’s number three, get motivated. If you have no one else who can do it, will it simply go undone? Are your students, parents, and your boss ok with that? Or, could you do it, but in way that reflects your strengths?
Tell others the truth
Be honest with your team, your parents, your board, and whoever else needs to know, and say, unless you lied on your resumes, “I’m not good at this, who can help me?” Vulnerability is opening the door so other gifted and empathetic people who would love to jump in and help you.
Let the truth set you free
Once you’ve come to the conclusion that you will not be the greatest communicator, best game leader, or graphic design specialist that frees you up to get better at what you are good at.
Lean into your strengths and recruit to your weaknesses.
Always leave the door open for someone to come come into the youth ministry to do what you cannot.
- Have open door training sessions twice a year for people interested in working with the youth.
- Make appeals on social media for something you or the group needs
- Create space within your ministry for others to practice or experiment with their gifts like hosting a talent show night. This way you can see where kids gifts lie.
Free to outsource
Not good at something? Let others help you. Outsource what you are not good at to those who are.
Not a great newsletter person? Check out DYM and their newsletter template.
Graphic Design? Fiverr.com
Free to get better, if that’s what you want.
If you want to get better that designing things, check our my two videos on these free online graphic creators Here and Here.
If you want to get better and raising up students leaders, you can watch this, this, and this
We can get better at just about anything, if we want to.
You are more than you think you are. You were hired because someone saw something in you. Your board/pastor may have hired you for your skills but God called you, like Gideon, because He sees something in you no one else sees. An opportunity to Glorify Himself. Will you let Him?