Coming Up to Our Potential
by Morris Norman
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 4, December 1992
Every normal child born has a potential that needs to be tapped and pointed in the right direction. God determined before the foundation of the world to have a people that are holy and without blame. In Christ, we can reach that potential. Jesus told Peter and Andrew that He would make them become fishers of men if they would follow him. He saw in them that potential. Impetuous Peter, doubtful Thomas, ambitious James and
John, and the tax collector Matthew all had the potential to carry the gospel to the world. We can all attain unto the full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Even the one-talent servant had the potential of interest from the bankers. "All things are possible to them that believe" (Mark 9:23).
Potential is what is possible but not yet realized; capable of being but not yet in existence; untapped energy. Our younger generation has great potential. They are highly educated and trained. In the process of being successful in the world, they develop abilities that can make them valuable to the kingdom. They are taught to think, to solve problems, to reach conclusions; they learn how to deal with people, to see where the possibilities lie, and to work to that end. They are becoming engineers, lawyers, doctors, and teachers. This potential can be tapped for Christ.
Some are self-starters. They recognize the importance of what God wants in them and seek ways to attain it. They study first the Bible, then tracts, bulletins, and periodicals; they attend every worship service, class, and gospel meeting to learn more. They buy books to build their libraries. As they learn, they put it into practice by sharing with others to help them reach their potential. These are the real leaders among us: the preachers, elders, teachers, the workers, and servants. They are alert to opportunities, even creating them as they see potential in others and encourage them.
Leadership is needed to tap this potential. Leadership should come from the whole body. "From whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth according to the working in due measure of each several part, making the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16). Christ supplied the leaders in the gifts He gave when He ascended: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Apostles and prophets speak the truth by inspiration, the evangelists tell this good news, pastors shepherd the flock, and teachers are the rest who speak the truth in love. We are all to be leaders to others as we strive together to reach our potential. Every congregation needs aggressive, imaginative leadership. If there is a lack of it, potential remains latent. Every assembly, every "meeting" of the saints, however small, ought to be to this end.
Training is needed to tap potential. Not just training to lead public worship, but even meaningful prayers, competent song leaders, and spiritual men at the Lord’s table are needed. But what we also need is training on how to study, to reason on the scriptures, to make spiritual judgments; how to teach; how to recognize and refute error; how to deal with people to bring out their best; how to show love
and concern, to encourage, to say the right thing at the right time.
Too many assemblies lack this. There are a couple of classes a week with little preparation by students or teachers, along with two sermons that may be too elementary, during which most of the saints sleep, daydream, or make plans for other times. Someone has estimated that we hear about 5% of any given lesson. Such provides a minimum challenge, toned down to avoid discouraging or running someone off. We make it convenient and comfortable. We want to hear the same things over again, remaining in the first grade for life. Too many churches have too many half-converted, dull of hearing, low-interest people who lack spiritual awareness. And we wonder why we are dying.
Opportunity is needed to tap potential. Good leadership will be alert to ways to put people to work for the Lord, to involve them, and help them grow spiritually. We need programs and activities that challenge people to learn and do more. We need to supply the circumstances for spiritual perception. "Swarms" often happen because there is a lack of such challenges. Dormant, unused potential is frequently diverted to business, sports, and social life when it could be used for the kingdom.
A response is needed to tap the potential. When Isaiah had seen the glory of the Lord, God asked, "Who will go for me?" Isaiah said, "Here am I, send me." When we see the glory of the Lord, we will respond. Leadership helps us to see the glory of God and then dispels the excuses. Moses saw the burning bush but offered excuses not to lead Israel from Egypt. God removed them all by supplying the means. Paul could do all things through Christ, who strengthened him. "With God all things are possible." Too many are lukewarm, lazy, worldly, don’t care, selfish (you add your own descriptive terms).
Spend hours with the Book, see the glory of the Lord. Be part of it, prepare for it, find ways to serve, ask to be used, don’t refuse when asked, but do your best, don’t complain or grumble; be positive and enthusiastic; look for solutions, help encourage, go to work, be spiritual, grow up. Love the Lord. Love people. Come up to your potential.
