Are you living into your God-given potential?

Last week's Roaming Revival message was a wonderful question that each of us must consider for ourselves. Are we mammoths or are we opossum?

     I suppose to understand the gist of that question you must first watch Disney's Ice Age 2. This movie is a wonderful lesson for each of us. Ellie, taken in by a family of opossum, believes herself to be one too–in spite of her 'mammoth' size. Through her journey with all the other beloved Disney characters she is transformed by her experiences into living into her true mammoth potential.

     The message for our youth and for us as well is simply this…are we living into our God-given potential? Are we merely walking in faith as Christians letting things we do and say on the outside show nothing of who we are to others?  Or, as we should be, are we transformed into being something better.

     While it is true that Jesus walked among the least of these and met people where they were, (whether they were prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers or just simple sinners) he never left them where they were. He transformed lives–he brought people out of their God-less lives and into a fuller life–a life more in tune with becoming and being who God calls us to be. He brought his followers into living up to their God-given potential.

     Radical transformation is what living as people of faith requires of us–we are called to transform our lives not only to look like 'Christians' to others, but to transform the world in which we live into a world where justice prevails for all: to transform the lives of those who do not have the power to transform themselves, to provide care for those who cannot care for themselves, to be a voice for those who are voiceless, to heal the sick, feed the hungry, to free the captives, to proclaim the Good News to the ends of the earth!

     Yesterday we gathered with nearly 300 souls across our community to march in solidarity, to worship as one body in Christ, and to eat a meal in loving fellowship with those we rarely entertain as guests in our own homes or churches as a way of celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King JR. Many marchers sang as they walked…"We Shall Overcome…" I sang with them, but as I walked and sang I could not help but realize that for me, the obstacles to overcome were very different from those of my brothers and sisters in this march. 

     My obstacles were just that, MY OBSTACLES–easier than what some have before them and much harder than what others face. My greatest obstacle which has yet to be overcome and will likely always stand before me is the same for each of us–living into our God-given potential. 

     What call has God placed upon your heart that you continue to ignore? What fears to you allowing to stifle you? When was it that you felt the need to speak up but remained silent, only to live with regret? What person in your life is still waiting to hear those words, "I'm sorry" or "please forgive me", "I love you" or maybe even "I forgive"? What injustices do you see and yet do nothing for–after all you are only one person?

     Are you a mammoth or an opossum? Are you a follower of Christ or aren't you? Are you a believer in the wonderful future to which God calls you or not? What can you do today to make the world more like the Kingdom of God? What obstacles must you overcome? Leap and the net will appear! In all things, trust that in the midst of God's call on your life that God is present to equip you for such undertakings! In all things, know that you are not alone–we're all on this journey!

Here's to living a mammoth-life!
Blessings,
Tracy