One of my least favorite words on planet Earth is potential. I can’t tell you how many times I was told “You have a lot of potential.” Now I understand the heart in which it was said, but what I heard was, “Someday you’re gonna be great, but right now you’re not.” They were trying to tell me that they see the gifts that God has given me, and over time and development, God is going to grow those gifts into something he will use for great purposes. But the idea that I needed to wait and put work into it was always frustrating. It would be so much easier if I could just be there already.
Similarly, I have met many amazing people who believe that their gifts and talents are as developed and mature as they will ever be. I hope that I never get to this point. As much as I hated the term potential as a teenager, I hope now that I always look at myself as someone who has the potential to grow and become more like who Jesus wants me to be.
This idea of potential and growth relates to our faith as much as it does our gifts and talents. I can confidently say that my faith is deeper and more nuanced now than what it was five years ago. (Truthfully even one year ago.) The uncomfortable truth is that it is deeper and stronger because of life circumstances that have tested and refined it.
Romans 5:1-5
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of underserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
To be clear, we aren’t always given hard circumstances so that our faith can grow. But our faith can always grow during hard circumstances. As hard circumstances come; and they will, open yourself up to the working power of the spirit to grow our faith and trim away things from our life. Like exercise, the process is painful and long. But the long term effects are worth the short term discomfort.
SOAP Scripture: John 15:1-16
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
