“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?'”   – Exodus 3:11

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger…” – Luke 2:7

“Is not this the carpenter’s son?  Is not His mother called Mary?”                         – Matthew 13:55

“And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”              – Matthew 4:19

#9 – God sees the potential

My wife and I enjoy going into antique shops and looking around at the many treasures of years gone by that are for sale.  Older things that are worn have a certain character to them.  Sometimes there are the things that I don’t see any value in, but…she does.  On one occasion we were in a shop and she pointed at an old bench which was being used to display another item.  “I like that.  What do you think?”  It was old.  Obviously hand made.  Beat up and poorly painted.  It wasn’t even for sale, but…the owner was happy to let it go for $5.  After a little TLC that bench became a part of our family and 37 years later is still in our home.  Some people have a knack for seeing the potential beauty in things that others may not see.

The Christmas story reminds us that our God is one who sees the potential in everything and everyone.  I can only imagine God walking around the stable before Mary and Joseph got there.  “Hey, I think that feeding trough (manger) has a lot of character and would make a great crib!” and “Those slightly used rags (swaddling cloths) would be good to keep the baby warm.”  Of course, the Bible doesn’t say any of that, but it is true that our God is a God who sees the potential in everything and everyone.  He looked at an exiled prince named Moses and saw one who could lead the the work to deliver His people.  He looked at a “nobody” carpenter from a small town and saw one who could be the earthly father of our Lord.  Jesus looked at a rag tag fisherman named Simon and saw an apostle who would lead the church.

God sees the potential.

Sometimes we may feel like a  nobody from nowhere or an old bench at a flea market.  A little beat up,  paint is peeling,  used, but God sees someone that, with His loving care, can become a wonderful part of His Kingdom work.  God sees past the nicks and bruises.  Maybe you are thinking, “Who am I that God would choose me?”  God says to you what He said to Moses, Joseph, Peter, and Mary…”I am with you.  You are loved.”