What is my potential?
A man related a dream which had a great impact on his life. He dreamed that a man of wondrous beauty and noble bearing approached him. He was so impressed by the man that with envy and admiration he asked who the stranger was.
The answer came very clearly:
“This is the man God intended YOU to be,
but you refused and instead,
you handled your own life”
What does God intend me to be?
What purpose did God have in mind when He created me?
What purpose did God have in mind when He re-created me? . . .
. . . when He called me to Himself: when He delivered me from the power of darkness and translated me into His kingdom, adopting me into His own family and giving me all the resources I need to live victoriously for Him?
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
before you were born I sanctified you.
Ephesians 1:4
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him.
Romans 8:29
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined
to be conformed to the image of His Son
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come . . . to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
(or as the Amplified puts it)
nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection
Am I the person God intended me to be, or am I refusing to allow Him to mould me into Christ’s image?
Surely, one of the greatest insults we can offer to God
is to NOT REACH the POTENTIAL He has planned for us.
What holds us back? Are we afraid of change; afraid of having to give up pleasures; afraid of losing our self-indulgence; afraid of having our comfort zone disturbed?
COULD we be the loser? NO WAY!
God wants only the VERY BEST for us.
We cannot lose!
Since the ONLY person who can STOP me
from being the person God intended me to be IS ME,
doesn’t that mean
that I am setting myself – my will – above Him and His will for me?
[Just as Lucifer did?]
I need a TRUER vision, Lord: a vision filled with Thee,
To see the needy world again, with eyes willing to see
A world where people are hurting and hungry every day;
A world that’s ready and waiting to hear what YOU would say.
I need a WIDER vision, Lord: a vision filled with Thee,
To see that lonely woman down the street from me;
The teenager who’s all mixed up; the child who’s been abused;
The day to day cares in my neighbourhood. Lord, I want to be used!
Give me a NEW vision Lord; a vision filled with Thee,
To see the world and my neighbourhood as YOUR eyes would see.
Help me to use my gifts, dear Lord, in ways that glorify YOU;
To act with loving kindness towards those with a different view.
A truer, wider, new vision Lord! That’s what I need
To carry out Your commands in word and thought and deed.
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
This post addresses much of what I’ve been struggling through lately. When the large picture of bringing honor to the name of Christ is in view, there is a simplicity and clarity of focus. But, when surrounded by the details of daily life, I get bogged down and confused about where to spend my time and energy. I forget about the love that’s been shown to me and my motivation to do for others dwindles.
A few weeks ago, I was counseling with a friend who recommended beginning every day with a request that the Lord would direct me to the things He wants me to do. I thought that was wonderful advice to help prevent disobedience or feelings of being overwhelmed. I’m afraid it’s still not a daily habit…but it is my goal.
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Hi Heather
>> “when surrounded by the details of daily life, I get bogged down and confused about where to spend my time and energy”
Many years ago I had the same difficulties. I started “practicing the presence of God” and it was life changing.
I found that when the FIRST thought on waking in the morning is something like “Good morning Lord. What have You planned for us today? Help me to keep focussed on Your ways” and then to continue the day, referring everything to the Lord as they happen makes all the difference. Frustration and indecision are gone. Feelings of inadequacy are gone. He IS there, with you, waiting to be acknowledged, and when you turn to Him He WILL direct you and enable you to do whatever is necessary.
Sometimes, because we are so self-centred by nature, we tend to go our own way and not consult the One who knows the best and desires only the very best for us. We tend to IGNORE His promise of never leaving us. When we “practice the presence of God” and talk with Him often throughout the day, we will be amazed at what we accomplish.
Of course, I still often “forget” that He is right there and try to tackle things on my own, but it isn’t long before He gently reminds me that I can do nothing of myself but “He in me” can achieve anything.
Angela
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Thank you, Angela, for sharing your experience.
It is so encouraging to be able to hear from other, more mature believers who not only have stumbled in the same way, but also can offer assurance that the Lord does indeed continue to patiently work with us as we remember to look to Him for direction.
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Thank you, Angela
Great post!
For me, that would become the ultimate nightmare… I know I don’t always do what He says but to see it presented before me this way really hits hard. Very hard.
About missed opportunities … If I see someone lost and don’t show them the way, how is that different from pointing them down the wrong path :-(
What Rob said. Painful truth :-( … Praying we’ll put pride aside and allow Him to direct.
You’ve given me much to think on Angela. Thanks again.
Blessings,
ann
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Thanks for your input Ann.
Responsibility and accountability are two essential parts of being a child of God – but ones we too often try to ignore.
Satan tries to tell us the Christian life is too restrictive; that we should be able to please ourselves etc. To the non-believer it possibly appears this way but the reality of a Christ-controlled life is that we CANNOT LOSE.
God only wants the VERY BEST for us. He KNOWS what is best and when we follow His way we experience His best. If only I did this more! It is one thing to know the truth but another to always act on it!
Angela
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Hi Angela,
Great post, as always! I enjoyed the comments, as well. We are living epistles, read among men. And as you said,”everything we say and everything we do is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block to someone coming to faith in Christ.” The Scriptures that came to mind are, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before all men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” ( Matthew 5: 14– 16)
Thank you for sharing! God bless you!
Paulette
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Hi Paulette,
They are Scriptures I often think of too. What a privilege we have. Jesus said HE is the Light of the world, and then He says WE are the light of the world. What a Saviour! What an affront to our Saviour when we refuse/neglect to be the light He intends us to be!
Thanks for the input.
Angela
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Angela,
If we all would allow the Lord to mould us into His image, I believe this world would be a far better place for everyone to live. Our living testimonies of Christ would lead to Him being glorified and the lost seeing their need to be saved. Many times, because we fail to show Him in our lives, many opportunities to tell others about Him are forever lost.
Thanks for your faithfulness in serving Him,
Rob
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Rob you are so right. Everything we say and everything we do is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block to someone coming to faith in Christ.
Angela
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