"I See in You" Moments and How They Can Change the Life Trajectory of Others

It seems to be human nature to notice greatness in others before we see it in ourselves. We all have blind spots. Many of us have self-limiting beliefs holding us back from reaching our full potential. Some have self-esteem issues. This is why it's helpful to have someone who can look into your life and see what you can't. Great leaders are known for seeing greatness in others. They also work to draw out that greatness so the world benefits from it. One of the hallmarks of great leadership is helping people you serve to achieve things in their lives they never thought possible. Often, this begins with a simple, heartfelt "I see in you" conversation with them. 

I first heard about ICNU ("I See In You) moments from Dave Ferguson, founding pastor of Community Christian Church. An "I see in you" conversation is exactly what it sounds like. It is approaching someone in your life or your sphere of influence that exhibits something special. You have seen something unique in their character, their passion, or their gifting and you want to let them know about it. These conversations can have a powerful impact on the recipient. I experienced the power of one of these moments in my own life long before I knew what it was by name.

Sam Smith, author and founder of Biblical Reader Communications, was a mentor and a dear friend of mine. He spent many a night teaching me and a few friends about life, leadership, and systematic theology. One night, Sam and I were talking and he had an "I see in you" moment with me. He said, "Brian, I can see right now that the Lord is going to use you greatly one day." Sam could see that I had I hunger to learn. Not only that, I was trying desperately to understand the difficult concepts we were discussing not just for knowledge's sake, but to apply them to my life. He said he didn't know how, but he knew I had a gift the Lord was going to use. Another time, we were talking about Liberty University. I was trying to finish up my degree and I was telling him how much I enjoyed writing papers and essays. It wasn't something I enjoyed in school. He had another "I see in you" moment with me that day. He said he thought I had what it takes to be a writer. He even said, "Maybe you will even publish a book one day." I was dumbfounded. I had never considered the possibility of publishing anything. Yet, Sam saw something in me and encouraged me towards it. It changed not only the way I think about writing but my relationship with writing. I started seeing myself as a writer. He believed in me and it made me believe in myself. 

Sam succumbed to pancreatic cancer and finished his race here on earth in 2021. Yet, I still hear often those words he spoke over my life. I went on the finish my degree at LUO in 2022. One major life goal was accomplished because I had people like Sam cheering me on. A few years later after all the daily journal entries, personal posts on my private blog, and numerous sermon manuscripts written, I decided to start this blog to share my writing with the world. It's a work in progress. I am not where I want to be as a writer, but Sam believed in me, my wife believes in me, and I'm starting to believe in me. That is the power of having "I see in you" moments with other people. It can encourage them down paths they might not have charted before and ultimately change the trajectory of their lives.