What do we see when we look at a person? Do we see the good in them? Do we see the bad? or is it a little of both? -- The fact is that everyone has potential, whether we see it or choose to be blind to it. A few Biblical examples would include Moses, who before he even knew anything about leading Israelites out of captivity killed a man. Another would of course be David, a man who would not have been the first pick for the Athletics team. He had 7 brothers, of which, he was the youngest of. Then there is Paul, formerly known as Saul, he ravaged the countryside rounding up followers of the Christian sect. He was an ancient day Hitler, the very name of Saul must have struck fear into the very hearts of Christians (which we can see from scripture) God has a way of seeing not what people ARE, but what they can EVENTUALLY become. Jesus often talked to many people who were deemed social outcasts, He talked to everyone. Lepers, tax collectors and prostitutes. I think that almost anybody can live their life better, be a better Christian if they have someone that believes in them. I bet even alot of the gold medal winning olympic athletes would have never won, if they didn't have someone in the backround telling them, "You can do this".
Let me relate a personal story to illustrate my point. I have played baseball for about 10 years. My dream one day is to reach the full potential of my gift and use it to glorify God. Now, along the way I have faced alot of criticism, people who tell me I'm not big enough, not smart enough, not fast enough. But thanks be to God, that I have His promise. I find comfort in verses such as:
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
All these people that we read in the Bible, Moses, David and Paul. I would have to say reached their full potential, but you know what? They didn't do it alone. They all had people constantly push them and remind them. Moses had Aaron, David had Samuel, and Paul had Barnabas. We must see the true potential of people, and to do that, we cannot look on what is outside but we must focus our attention on their hearts.
In Christ,
Matt
