The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. Romans 8:19–21
What have you talked yourself out of doing this year — not because you lacked the ability, but because some quiet voice convinced you there wasn’t enough? Not enough time. Not enough resources. Not enough of you to go around.
That voice has a name: scarcity. And it’s older than any of us — it entered the human story the moment sin dismantled a design that was never meant to run on fear.
Motivational speaker Les Brown put it this way: “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because that’s where you’ll find the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step.“
The problem was never a lack of ability. It’s a mindset of scarcity.
If God designed us to bring life wherever we go, He was intentional in setting creation up to make that possible. Poverty was never part of His design. The Garden of Eden was filled with everything humanity needed. There was abundant provision, breathtaking beauty, meaningful work, and limitless opportunity to cultivate and steward creation. Man was even entrusted to multiply, create and exercise dominion over the earth.
Nothing about Eden suggested there would not be enough. In the beginning, scarcity was not part of man’s experience or mindset. The Father’s nature was revealed in extravagant generosity, and humanity was created to live from that abundance. There was no concern they would run out of time, energy, food, resources, imagination, or opportunity.
It was the fall of man that dismantled the perspective of abundance. Sin introduced the fear of not having enough, and scarcity quickly became one of the loudest voices influencing our decisions. Scarcity convinces us that if we give away our time, encouragement, creativity, influence, or resources, we may not have enough left for ourselves. It reinforces the instinct to protect rather than invest, to preserve rather than multiply.
While wisdom calls us to steward our lives well, scarcity causes us to hoard what God intended us to give away. The truth is that hoarded gifts transform no one and are eventually wasted.
The poverty mindset is one of the greatest obstacles to becoming a catalyst because catalysts must be willing to invest in others, trusting that God has an endless supply.
One of the remarkable qualities of a catalyst is that it sets a larger reaction into motion. The aftermath is far greater than the initial element. In much the same way, a single word of encouragement, one act of generosity, one courageous decision, or one creative solution can deliver lasting effects that extend far beyond what we can see or measure. Some of the greatest transformations were initiated by a single act of obedience, prompted by a nudge.
This is why becoming a catalyst requires more than inspiration. It requires a transformation of our thinking. We begin to look beyond limitations and instead consider what God could do with what is already in our hands. Scripture is full of ordinary people whom God chose to do the extraordinary. The boy’s five loaves and two fish that fed the many, the widow’s oil that continued to pour until she filled enough vessels to pay off her debts, and the fishermen who brought in an overwhelming catch of fish when they had been working all night with nothing. Heaven always sees possibilities where we see limitations.
Creativity, innovation and thinking that challenge conventional paradigms and maximize productivity do not happen by accident or during freak eureka moments. These are skills that are developed and honed to be sharp and readily available. Just as natural muscles become stronger when exercised, our ability to produce high-level results can be strengthened.
Becoming a catalyst may require some mindset adjustments. It requires a commitment to the process. We will have to be willing to see things for what they could be rather than just the raw materials that seem insignificant. Now is the time to step into a new way of living life that tramples limitations and runs forward with expectation. Our secret weapon is not found in our personal strength or resolve; it is released only when we yield our desires and unbelief to God. He is looking for people who will step into the role of His representatives and, by extension, bring unfathomable change.
The world does not simply need more talented people. It is longing for sons and daughters who know who they are and who are willing to reveal the nature of their Father through lives marked by generosity, creativity, courage, and hope.
Paul describes it this way:
The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. Romans 8:19–21 (TPT)
Creation is waiting—not for more spectators of God’s goodness, but for people who will live from heaven’s abundance and release His kingdom everywhere they go. That is what catalysts do.