You Have Potential

You have potential. Regardless of your past successes or failures, you have potential. Lift up your chin, your fallen gaze, and your slumped shoulders, take a deep breath and consider an example of untapped potential, perhaps not all together unlike you. You have potential, believe it.

God delivered the somber news to His people Israel, “Moses is dead.” 

Joshua’s moment had come. He was thrust into the leadership role, bringing with him memories of all his past failures and criticism. Evidently he was looking back on Moses and his monolithic leadership and feeling very inferior.

Have you ever felt that way? Many adults carry with them into adulthood memories of their failures and putdowns. 

In saying “Moses my servant is dead,” God was saying, “Joshua forget your past failures – you are my man.” It was time for Joshua to admit God’s great investment in him. He must now put the past behind.

In effect God was looking Joshua straight in the eyes and saying “You have potential.” The same is true of you, regardless of past failures and criticism.

Jesus put it this way, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Paul expressed it, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13, 14)

Think for a moment of God’s investment in YOU.

If He could use a second grade follower to lead His people that proves He can use you and thankfully me. Us!

That should give you pride. There are two kinds of pride. One is egotism, arrogance. There is no room for that. The other kind is the kind where you are ashamed not to be your best.

Pause and pray, “Here I am Lord, use me.” Leave the result to Him.

He will give you grace for the disappointments, strength for the trials, and hope for the end of life.

Now go out there and live up to your potential. Enjoy!