We all carry labels, some we embrace, others we struggle to shake off. As a child, I was labeled as “special,” a term often used as a punchline, casting me as someone less capable. Those labels, like so many others, were painful and limiting. But as I grew, I discovered something powerful: what the world sees as "special" or "broken," God sees as an opportunity for transformation. I endured tremendous trauma, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and was raised in the foster care system. Despite these challenges, I changed the way I think and emerged as a husband, father, and leader. Today, I want to share a message that has shaped my life: your brokenness does not define you. Instead, it can be the foundation on which you build something extraordinary.

When I was a kid, I was labeled a slow learner, considered “special” in a way that often became the punchline of jokes about the "short yellow bus." You know the kind of jokes I’m talking about. For children, those labels are painful. But as adults, we are uniquely positioned to lean in and show the world just how special we really are.

I once heard a very famous comedian share that he was often sent to the principal’s office for being disruptive, he was labeled special too. He explained that it was this “specialness” that propelled him to become one of the highest-paid in his craft. Sometimes, being called "special" is just another way to remind us that we’re broken by the world’s standards.

Take British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory in World War II. By some accounts, he was broken too, he had a stutter that affected his confidence. What’s your stutter? Despite his flaws, Churchill was an effective leader because of his tremendous ability to inspire people, his strategic insight, relentless passion, and unshakable personality.

Similarly, President Theodore Roosevelt was also “special”, he had a speech impediment. Yet, one of his quotes continues to inspire me: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better…” Look up the quote about the man in the arena, I’ve used it in my writing before. How are you broken? Or perhaps I should ask, in how many ways are you broken? In how many ways are you special?

God actually mandates that we be special. You are special when you stand out in the world. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)

At some point, you have to embrace the fact that it’s okay to be special. It’s okay to be broken. I often remind people, and myself, that we can hold the tension of being both broken and whole at the same time. Did you catch that?

So, what does it mean to be broken? Being broken means recognizing and experiencing deep personal flaws, failures, hardships, setbacks, disappointments, and traumas. It means you don’t have it all figured out, no matter the outward façade you project. It’s just me and you now, let’s be real. Being broken means you struggle with belonging, with feeling worthy, you struggle with confidence, and you care what people think. Sometimes, you let their opinions limit who and what you become. Being broken can mean allowing people to put you in a box, giving them the power to define you, which prevents you from going beyond what they can see, did you hear me? As long as you let others define you, they will design a world where you can’t go further than they have gone, than they can see, than they have done.

I remember in college, telling my classmates that I was going to become a consultant after graduation. People thought I was crazy. Why? Because they had never done it! I remember applying only for executive director jobs after my first consulting role. Did you catch that? My first job was consulting. After that, I applied only for executive director roles, even when people told me I wasn’t qualified. I got a job as an associate director and used it as my training ground. Where is your training ground?

You and I are broken, yes. We may feel unqualified, yes, but who told you that you needed 100% of the experience to do the thing? I’ll tell you who: the uninspired. The unmotivated. The unengaged. They don’t see the purpose God has placed on your life. They can’t begin to imagine the visions you hold. They don’t have the same scoreboard that God has given you in your brokenness. We are broken, yet we allow God’s grace to transform and use those very weaknesses for His greater purpose, this is me. I am broken. Have you ever felt emotionally, physically, personally, or professionally broken? You are not alone. I’ve been there too. But the difference might be…

…I allow God to fully use me as I navigate my imperfect life. When people remind me of my brokenness, I remind them of my God. Let’s just sit with that one, thank you, Jesus, that was good, it stands to be repeated. When people remind you of your brokenness, YOU REMIND THEM OF YOUR GOD. I like that…. I don’t pretend to have it all together, but I am committed to pursuing excellence. The only way, I believe, that you and I get there is by taking our focus off our brokenness, off our problems, off other people, and placing it on God. If you want to go to the next level and take your business to the next level, take control back from those who create comfort around them. Here’s what this means: most people are comfortable right where they are, and anything you do to disrupt their comfort is a problem. Never forget that your growth doesn’t give most people comfort, because it means that if they want to stay in relationship with you over time, they too will need to elevate their game.

I am broken. I endured tremendous trauma, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and grew up in the foster care system. Despite these challenges, I transformed my life by changing the way I think, emerging as a husband, father, and “360 leader”. This means I strive to lead effectively in all directions, upward, downward, and laterally, making an impact at every level of being. My mission is to empower you to break free from what’s holding you back, so you can achieve your best personal and professional results, no matter what the world or anyone else suggests. Because in the end, it’s about the results you want to achieve, it’s about owning your scoreboard and defining success on your own terms.

Being broken doesn’t disqualify you from greatness; it’s often the very thing that equips you for it. The world might try to box you in with labels or tell you that you’re not enough, but I’m here to remind you that those labels don’t determine your destiny, God does. You and I can be both broken and whole, imperfect and purposeful, all at the same time. The key is to focus not on what others say about your limitations but on the unique purpose that God has placed within you. Take control of your scoreboard, define your own success, and let your brokenness be the very thing that propels you to new heights. Remember, it’s not about avoiding your brokenness; it’s about allowing God to use it to achieve your best personal and professional results. Keep pushing forward, because your story is far from over, it’s just beginning.

If this message resonated with you, share it with your network and add your perspective.