NOT BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL

People often associate various successes, job promotions, or callings with someone's potential. The greater someone's potential, the greater chance they have to succeed in life. This is what makes many people strive to develop their potential to the point of sometimes forgetting God.

Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from the Midianites out of fear. When God wanted to send him to defeat the Midianites, the Angel of the Lord greeted him as a brave hero and assured him of God's presence. Several ironic things about being called a brave hero are, first, he was hiding from the Midianites. Second, he did not believe in God's presence because his people were in a very difficult situation. Third, he lacked confidence because his clan was the smallest and he was the youngest among his family. Fourth, he doubted his calling and asked for a sign from God. There was absolutely no potential in Gideon that made God choose him. God chose Gideon according to His own will and He alone equipped, accompanied, and made Gideon a brave hero.

Our lives do not always depend solely on the potential and abilities we possess. Because someone's potential, talent, and capacity are different according to God's gifts. It is God Himself who provides support and equips each of His children according to the tasks and needs entrusted to them. Dare to take on the responsibilities given by God, even though we are aware of our limitations, for God is able to equip and help us so that His purpose and calling will be fulfilled. --ANT/www.renunganharian.net