“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Have I Reached My Potential?

Several years ago, a devotional was entitled, Potential. In it, the writer shared how when her children were born, she wondered who they would become as adults. She painted a beautiful picture, but it really got me to thinking: have I reached my full potential?

As a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to dance. My mother always told me it was what I was created to do, and it’s true. Movement and rhythm come very naturally to me. However, dance is something that requires lessons if you want to get anywhere with it, and when I told my dad I wanted to be a dancer, his response was, “That’s no career.” So I wasn’t able to take lessons, while I watched my siblings be given what they needed to pursue their passions. I felt robbed of the one beautiful thing I had the potential to do. Yes, I had issues about this, and yes, the Lord really had to walk me through it!

On further reflection, I thought about my early years as a Christian. Those around me were well meaning, but oh, how badly I was discipled! It was the mid-eighties, and people were really pushing the Rapture on me. I’d never heard of it, and suddenly I was given books and shown movies, and I was made to feel that if I weren’t doing door-to-door ministry, and witnessing everywhere I went, I wasn’t going to make it! They’d take me along on their street-witnessing missions, and I’d stand there, tongue-tied, feeling like a complete failure. They failed to realize that I was too young in my walk with the Lord to do ministry like that. Not to mention, I am terribly shy. I can fake it now, but back then, I could barely make it through a grocery store run. One of my brother’s friend’s was very exuberant in her walk, and he told me on a regular basis that I needed to be like her. I really liked her, but I didn’t want to be like her! So I’d lie awake at night, petrified, and ask God to let me in anyway. To be honest, when I think of some of the things said to me, and the way I was treated by certain people, it’s a wonder I stayed with this whole Christianity thing! So I can’t help but wonder, who would I be now, if I’d been allowed to be, well, ME? I’ve had to purpose to not spiral into regret.

Then I began to wonder if I’ve done any of these things to an outsider, or a new believer. Have I tried to make them into a mold of what I think they should be? We all have such diverse backgrounds, and even here in the U.S., each state has its own culture. Do we welcome those whose walks don’t look like our own? Are we allowing them to grow into their full potential? Or are we impatiently pushing them? And why do we think there’s a one-size-fits-all agenda, anyway?

But God is good, isn’t He? He has found ways to use me. As God’s daughter, I’ll never stop growing, so I think my potential is still in the making. I wonder who I’ll become? Who will you become?

Father, thank You for creating us so differently. Please teach us how to disciple, and not hinder those around us to reach what Your full potential is for them. May we strive for Your agenda, and not ours. In the precious and holy name of Jesus, Amen.