Came across this blog entry today from Jess Barnett, a member of FBCL, and thought it was very insightful and timely after Ronnie’s sermon on Sunday. Enjoy!
Do You See What God Sees?
Are you living up to your potential? I would venture a guess that the large majority of us would have to say that we are not. Potential is defined as “qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.” Another definition is “having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.” Very few of us set out to be unsuccessful or unable to attain that which God has for us. Yet somehow we have an incorrect view of ourselves. We have allowed others to paint a picture of ourselves that taints our potential.
We have allowed ourselves to settle for good enough, when God wants to give us the extraordinary. He has promised us that He has plans for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11) The last part of this verse states that these plans are for a “hope and a future.”
This must mean that God sees us as worthwhile. By that I mean that He sees something in us worth planning and preparing for. If something has no future, it is discarded and cast aside. We are far from cast aside by God; in fact quite the opposite is true. God sees value and worth in us. He sees us as capable and important. He has chosen us for a purpose. Most importantly, He sees us as unique individuals perfectly created and cast for our role in His drama.
So the question becomes, do you see yourself as God sees you?
If not, you are going to continue to live below your potential. Good enough will continue to be good enough. It will be sufficient to just get by with our minimum duty as Christians, because when we don’t see ourselves the way God sees us, just getting by is all right. Furthermore, the world only expects us to be successful in worldly ways; it knows nothing of obedience to God and success as a Christian.
I have it written in my Bible, “Success in God’s eyes is obedience.”
When we see ourselves as God sees us, we strongly desire to obey Him. We want to follow Him down the adventure He leads us on. Following Him, we know we are capable and filled with His power and Spirit. Going where He sends us, although sometimes fraught with spiritual danger, is always worth it in the long run. And when we take the path that He puts us on, there is no doubt that He will place us exactly where we ought to be.
Father, create in me a clear vision of myself. Help me to strip off the lenses that hinder my vision of myself. Help me to realize that in You, I am a new creation. In you, I have power and strength. I have been created for a purpose. I am made for a reason. Help me see the talents and abilities that I have been given as the gift from you that they are. Help me use them for your glory and your honor so that I reach my full potential in this world as I prepare for the next.
Just go to: http://sendthemforhim.com/files/Groups/LoganvilleChildren/Categories.html