Potential
The following article was written by Hannah Glass and won 3rd place in the BFLW 2020 Essay Contest.
“What will my child be? A doctor, a scientist, an astronaut?” These are some common questions a parent asks about their child; usually before they are born. Even before a baby is born, parents tend to start imagining what the first word of their offspring will be, or what school they will attend, or even what they will become or do as an adult. “Will they find a rare organism as a scientist? Will they be the first to land on a planet? Will they save lives? What will they do that will change the world? Will they be a pastor, missionary, or fireman? What will they be?” Parents imagine plenty of careers for their children, but what is the most important desire they should have for their children?
Every life has the promise to be a good life; even if that life bas not been born yet. A good life is one that is lived for others and for the Lord. In today’s society, some think that a life doesn’t have value until they say it does. Here are three reasons why every life has the potential to be lived for good: every life has been created in the image of God, the United States Constitution supports the sanctity of a life, and God has given everyone talents to use for His
glory.
God specifically made mankind in His own image. Genesis 1:26 says,” … Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ….”1 Later, the Bible says in Genesis I :27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”2
However, some people tend to mistake what the image of God looks like. It isn’t the human body or our experiences. Our soul, uniqueness from animals, and the ability to know right from wrong is how we arc made in the image of God. We weren’t created lo resemble God in body, but in spirit. We are not like animals because animals do not have an eternal soul. Pets may be trained to know what to do and what not lo do, but they can’t fully comprehend the reasons. We are unique because we are made to be separate from the animals. In fact, we can talk directly to God; no animal can do this!
Each individual person has something called personhood; which is the quality or condition of being self aware. This is a right to be able to choose how one can live his or her own Life. If they can’t live their own life, how can the Lord guide them to do amazing things for His glory? The Declaration of Independence declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal, that they are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”3 The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution backs this up by stating, “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,…”4 Every life has potential to follow his own dreams. For those who have kids, many have seen their children pretend to be astronauts and fly into outer space. Or maybe they have pretended to be an animal trainer or explorer. Shouldn’t each life be given a chance to follow what they would like to do?
Most importantly, what is the potential of a life through the Lord’s perspective? The Word of God says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou earnest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto all nations.”5 This clearly states that God has always made and will always make people special. Each person is extraordinarily designed for specific purposes. These uniquely created abilities, called talents, are what God wants us to use for our potential. Some are given the talent of sportsmanship and fitness, the ability to be an athlete. They can use their skills to be humble when they win, and glad when they lose; to show the Lord through their testimony. Several are smart, and they may make a discovery in science someday that would help cure illnesses such as cancer. Others have a wonderful talent for music. They can sing and/or play one or more instruments very well. They can bless people around them, the church family, and any other ministry they partake in. Perhaps, if they were to start giving music lessons, they may be given the opportunity to lead someone to Christ. There are many more talents the Lord can use for His glory.
Even unsaved people can be used for God’s glory. Philippians 1:18 states, “What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”6 In this verse, Paul says he will rejoice whether a pastor teaches the Word of God just for glory or because he has truly been called to teach it. God can use any situation for His glory, as many historical lessons can teach us.
Anyone and everyone have the potential to live a good life. Our constitution allows it, being made in the image of God demands it, and God has given each person the skills and talents to accomplish it.
- Genesis 1:26; KJV Bible.
- Genesis 1:27; KJV Bible.
- “Declaration of Independence: A transcription | National Archives;” Thomas Jefferson; archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript; website last updated on July 24, 2020.
- “Transcript of 14th Amendment to the U.S ….. – Our Documents;” John A. Bingham;
ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=43&page=transcript; courtesy of the Avalon Project at Yale Law School. - Jeremiah 1:5; KJV Bible.
- Philippians 1:18; KJV Bible.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. King James Version Bible.
2. “Declaration of Independence: A Transcription I National Archives;” Thomas Jefferson;
archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript; website last updated on July 24, 2020.
3. “Transcript of 14th Amendment to the U.S ….. – Our Documents;” John A. Bingham;
ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=43&page=transcript; courtesy of the Avalon Project at Yale Law School.