Potential

The dictionary defines potential as ‘latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness’. Potential generally refers to a currently unrealised ability. It means that the ability is present, but not yet fully utilised. This suggests that the object or person, possessing the potential, needs to do some action, in order to develop that quality or ability which is latent.

I read the most inspiring story of a young woman called Hee-Ah Lee. She lives in Korea. Hee-Ah was born in 1985 with some severe disabilities. She has only 2 fingers on each hand and her legs were amputated at the knees because the limbs below the knees were thin and non-functional. At birth, Hee-Ah’s extended family insisted that her mum put her up for adoption to a foreign country, as they didn’t see how she could take care of a baby with these physical challenges. But Hee-Ah’s mum refused to give up on her daughter!

When Hee-Ah was a pre-schooler her mother decided that she wanted her daughter to take piano lessons, for two reasons. One was that she felt it would help her strengthen her hands, so she could hold a pencil. The other was that she felt that, if she could master the piano, she could master anything. After many challenges to find a teacher willing to teach her, and many confrontations between mum and daughter, Hee-Ah finally started to master the piano, to the extent that she won Korea’s 19th National Handicap Conquest Contest at age 7.

Hee-Ah has gone on to become a widely travelled concert pianist, filling up concert halls everywhere she performs. She is a confident, happy, young woman, living to her full potential, despite having every reason to complain about the physical restraints she lives with every day. Looking at her outward appearance would never have given any indication of the huge potential within.

Very few people ever maximise the full potential that God placed within them. Most of their capabilities and strengths are never utilised, and may even be dormant and undiscovered. God has created you ON purpose and FOR purpose. He placed within you a unique skill set, personality mix and ability to fulfil your purpose in this generation. You were born for such a time as this! But sometimes we look at the challenges we face and the physical restraints, and this prevent us from pursuing the dreams God has placed within us.

God is the One Who designed you. Establish, nurture and invest in your relationship with Him. Ask Him to show you where you have neglected that which He’s given you, and to discover that which is still dormant within you. Don’t be passive about it any longer!

Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for every talent and ability You’ve blessed me with! Help me to use them to bless my world. Please forgive me where I’ve ignored or neglected my God-given potential, due to fear of the unknown. Give me the courage to step out in faith and live my purpose in You. Amen.