"God Sees Your Potential"

 “God Sees Your Potential”

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)  A twenty-first century layperson’s translation of that Ancient Near East Hebrew verse reads “God sees your potential.”  Far too often, people judge others on the basis of their clothing, style, mannerisms and other external factors.  This tendency motivates some people to cultivate a public persona designed to gain concessions from people with whom they work and interact.  Some persons spend years developing their likability as they know people ignore shortcomings and failures of people whom they like.  Conversely, people will not extend an ounce of sympathy or the benefit of the doubt toward someone they dislike regardless of his expertise and competence.  They will criticize perpetually his actions as well as doggedly scrutinize his intentions.  Despite his genuine motives, he will not find understanding amongst a group of people who dislike him.  Nonetheless, he finds solace in affirming this maxim, “God sees your potential.”

A clergy colleague shared in a recent sermon his rather difficult experience of transitioning into the position of senior pastor at a local church in the Southwest.  Known for its cosmopolitanism and open-minded outlook relating to social relationships, this area of the country prides itself in appreciating racial, cultural, ethnic and creedal pluralism.  Across these traditional social barriers, churches in this part of the United States brag of their ability to exist and expand with racially diverse leaders and congregants.  To my colleague’s great chagrin, many persons left the church when he became pastor following the arduous but necessary removal of his predecessor.  Many persons who left in that exodus actually were unable or unwilling to follow the leadership of a biracial pastor.  Compounding that injury, many persons who remained began to distance themselves and severely second-guess his motives and decisions.  Many of these people previously had been stalwart “friends” when he served as an assistant pastor.  Now, he arrives each Sunday without knowing who his friends are and who genuinely supports him.  Not surprisingly, the decline in membership resulted in residual decreases in programs and finances.  As fear solidified throughout the congregation and panic ensued, many congregants began to whisper about their pastoral search process. 

To combat this negativity, my colleague retreats to the safety and security of the foregoing verse.  He knows his heart’s desire to serve humbly and genuinely as pastor to his congregants even if they do not appreciate him.  Despite lingering doubts and persistent whispers about his incapacities, my colleague perseveres with a sincere heart and the full assurance of Almighty God’s faithfulness toward him.  Realizing God sees his potential, my clergy colleague steadfastly takes the next right steps in fulfilling the missional vision God imparts daily.  His current vocational challenge fosters great resilience within his character.  He simply must find means and methods of success regardless of whether he is popular within the congregation.  He cannot allow fears and misgivings of naysayers to deter him.

My colleague’s trials and tribulations remind me of three biblical characters whose examples demonstrate practical and effective means of surmounting communal doubt and second-guessing.  In his early military career, David zealously leads a campaign to conquer one of Israel’s fiercest adversaries.  Drunken with plans for success, David inadvertently fails to protect the home front from wanton attack.  He leaves women and children unguarded.  Not surprisingly, unsuspecting marauders stumble upon these helpless victims and carry them away while David and his men fight elsewhere.  Upon their return, they discover the results of their blindness as all of their wives and children have been carried away as prisoners of war.  The biblical writer records the ghastly and unimaginable scene of grown and bulky, victorious soldiers weeping bitterly for their hearts’ most precious treasure. (1 Samuel 30)  Moreover, these embittered and furious men talk of stoning David, their leader because of his costly oversight.  In response to their cries for their beloved wives and children and their thirst for his punishment, David encourages himself in the Lord.  He retreats to the secret place of God’s shadow where David prays for guidance and relief.

Job pleads with his sanctimonious “friends” for patience as God’s will unfolds in response to Job’s recent tragic loss of his children and property.  His friends who supposedly arrive to comfort Job insist that he must confess his hidden sin as an act of true repentance in order to alleviate Job’s pain and suffering.  Doggedly, Job refuses to comply with their wishes as he maintains his righteousness.  His friends then accuse Job of arrogance.  As they banter back and forth, Job again asks for their patience.  “But He knoweth the way I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Possibly, Job’s plea to his friends immortally expresses your requests to anyone who doubts you.  It will take time to burn the dross away as God refines your character.  My colleague offers this assurance to the people whom he serves as he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God certainly called and installed him as their pastor.  Hopefully, they will acquire humility and patience to wait upon God as my colleague matures into the pastor whom God approves.

Finally, the apostle Peter clearly reflects the spiritual fact that God sees our potential.  God’s unfailing love extends beyond Peter’s character defects of impulsivity, anger, misguided zeal, selfishness and denial.  Although Peter pledges his intention to die for Christ, Peter denies Christ three times and deserts Him in His hour of need.  Peter’s fears overwhelm his good intentions.  Seemingly, Peter is a weak man who will assuredly fail in any undertaking as he lacks strength of character.  Yet, in a post-resurrection scene, John 21:15-23, the Lord demonstrates His unfailing love of Peter and clear intention of focusing upon the heart of everyone.  He concentrates upon Peter’s love of Him.  Peter’s love surmounts his fear.  Accordingly, the Lord knows that Peter’s love combined with the Holy Spirit will enable Peter to fulfill his destiny and purpose.  Likewise, the Lord looks deeply into your heart and focuses upon your love and desires which will empower you to accomplish your dreams, goals and hopes.  He looks beyond your current limitations and sees your future potential, as you humbly and willingly ask for His wisdom.