The Spiritual Gift of Potential

HERE IS A GIFT from God – as all good gifts come from God (James 1:16-17) – that everyone has in abundance. Potential can be a spiritual gift because it is given in enhanced portions by the indwelling Holy Spirit, it can be spiritually discerned, it is mysterious in nature, it’s linked with belief, and it’s enhanced through use.

For some theological straight-shooters on the charismata, the spiritual gifts, it will seem inappropriate that “potential” should be considered a spiritual gift, given it’s not noted in the New Testament anywhere. I have to respect such a view. But I can still hold to the fact that God gave me this message to write, and so I have done so, here.

Potential is so important, for anyone can take what they have been blessed with and they can improve upon it. All it takes is the ingenuity of vision, a belief that such growth can be made, and the virtue to give it a go.

Not everyone can win the Miss Universe or Mr. Olympia or become a senator or become world famous. But everyone can take what they already have and make of it something significant, and it will be especially significant if it can be used – or be of use – for others.

By potential, we can take our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bases higher. All that stands in our way is the goals we don’t set for ourselves. God gives the gift of potential and expects us to apply vision, belief and effort.

Potential, Belief, and Faith

Potential is very much linked with belief – by faith we take our potential and make of ourselves what we will by what we do. That’s faith.

Faith is not simply about believing, it’s also implicit in doing: “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) Faith is connected to action, because through acting faith is manifest; shown for what it truly is. We cannot believe and not do, for that would not be believing.

So, by faith we can take our identified potential and make something of it.

This is where potential might get a bad rap. Many show or promise potential, but they may rarely deliver. But when potential is a spiritual gift that has been exercised we see it executed in life.

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Everyone has potential. When we exercise our potential as a spiritual gift we find ways to enhance others’ lives not simply our own. In blessing others we, too, are blessed. Maximising our potential is its own reward. We also have a role in encouraging those with potential; they may not even see it.

© 2013 S. J. Wickham.