“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

Potential

When my children were born, I always wondered who they would become in all their fullness as an adult. My thoughts went something like this:

Oh, my Little One, who will you be?

What will your voice sound like?

What will motivate you?

Who will be your friend?

What will be your habits? Your talents? Your mannerisms?

What will you laugh at, and what will make you cry?

What will be your strengths and weaknesses? Your joys and sorrows?

What career will you find that suits you well?

Will you dance, and laugh, and sing? And who will you dance, laugh, and sing with?

Will you be a poet? A student? An athlete? A lover?

Will you be gentle, or harsh?

What will happen to you that will change you?

You get the idea. I wanted to know my children. I wanted to watch God work in them, and see what He placed within them for His purposes.

We can look at newborn believers with many of these same questions.

Oh, new believer, who will you become in the Lord?

Will you declare His mighty deeds before the nations, or before your neighbors?

What will God do in you to provoke you to good works?

Who will surround you in your walk, to lift and cheer, comfort and encourage you?

What habits of godliness will you develop? What gifts will God place within you to serve Him with? Will others be drawn to Jesus by your Spirit-controlled mannerisms and lifestyle?

Will you laugh with the joy of the Lord? Will you cry with compassion?

What strength has God given you? What weakness will you submit to Him so that you will know His sufficient grace?

What place will God put you in kingdom work so that you may best serve Him? What ministry has He prepared for you, and prepared you for?

How will you worship? In dance, in song, in praise, or with your face on the ground? Who will you worship alongside?

Will you write thought-provoking words to compel others to seek Him? Will you be a student of the Word? Will you run the race as an athlete, eyes on the prize? Will you be a lover of God, of people, of beauty and goodness?

What will people think of you, when they think of you?

And what will God work into your life through suffering? What will make you lean on Him, trust in Him, and believe Him for all things? What will it take for you to bow your knee in surrender?

Each new believer is as unique as each newborn baby, and God knows each one in the most intimate way, as a Creator knows the work of His own hands.

Father, show us how to help new believers along their way. We watch with wonder as You work Your perfect plan in their lives. Amen.