Jesus treats me as he knows I can be, not as I’ve proven to be in the past. He doesn’t operate under fear that I’ll let him down…again.
Jesus treats me as he knows I can be, not as I’ve proven to be in the past. He doesn’t operate under fear that I’ll let him down...again. Click To Tweet
He says he doesn’t even remember what happened last time I hurt him.
He sees my potential. Not my past.
It’s a real innocent until proven guilty attitude. Only I know I’ll never be proven guilty. He already stepped in and covered me while my verdict was read.
It’s a real innocent until proven guilty attitude. Only I know I’ll never be proven guilty. He already stepped in and covered me while my verdict was read. Click To TweetWhat could be more freeing?
So why is it so hard to take that freedom and release it outwards? Why is it a struggle to adopt Jesus’ attitude and focus on people’s potential—not past?
Why is there still a small part that calls for justice? Even when I know I’ll never have to pay for the wrongs I committed?
Can an unloving heart be disguised as prudence? Discernment? Caution?
What would happen if we treated our brothers and sisters as though we were excited about each other’s potential? What would change? Would confidence and faith grow?
What would happen if we treated our brothers and sisters as though we were excited about each other’s potential? What would change? Would confidence and faith grow? Click To TweetAction Step: Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Originally written for Pierce Point Community Church blog. Accessible here.
People don’t often do this, but God does. We hurt each other so much. But little children model it. That must be one reason why Jesus said to have faith like a child because we can also love the way a child does. And that love comes from God.
That’s a great point, Jackie. Children so easily forget hurt and look to the future.
Stephanie, I love your question about what it would be like if we were all excited about each other’s potential and encouraged each other to fulfill their potential and calling. In this current culture of competition, self-focus and self-improvement I long for the world to be a place where all can thrive, all live in harmony and all flourish. But I have grown to understand that this desire is really my heart’s prayer for heaven on earth. So, come Lord Jesus. Fill this earthly place so that heaven can come and all these desires will be fulfilled.
That’s incredibly insightful, Anne. I suppose if it starts with each one of us, then we will be walking examples of heaven invading earth.
I love you, Stephanie M Gammon! This is such an incredibly encouraging piece. I’m so blessed by these words. I’ve tweeted every single tweet you embedded, and my heart is filled with such joy and gratitude for Jesus’ kindness and goodness and mercy that I’m almost floating around the house. This is SO GOOD! You have captured grace, grace, God’s grace! Thank you so much, sister!
Melinda, you’ve lifted me up when I needed encouragement. Thank you for your kind words. I’m blessed by you.
Stephanie, this is the message of the cross! So beautifully, so profoundly, to simply stated! May He draw out more and more of our potential as we lay our past to rest beneath His finished work at the cross. May we extend His gift of grace to those around us, as well.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Melissa, what you said is perfect!
“May He draw out more and more of our potential as we lay our past to rest beneath His finished work at the cross”
Yes and Amen!
Stephanie, this is great! Right out of the gate you proclaim such amazing truth, Jesus sees our potential not our past. And what a wonderful way to model our Lord and Savior to others…”What would happen if we treated our brothers and sisters as though we were excited about each other’s potential? What would change? Would confidence and faith grow?”
Thanks for sharing, Karen. It’s a concept I struggle with so I wrote this to iron out my own thoughts and submit them to God. Being excited about each other’s potential is such an important concept because it keeps us looking forward instead of back!
This should be a bumper sticker on every car: “He sees my potential. Not my past.” Amen, Stephanie! So good.
Great thought, Lisa!