12/27/2011
Are You Living Up to Your Full GOD-given Potential?
I ask myself this question on a regular basis. Not because I am some sort of ‘model person’ or anything, it is just that I hate to waste time. It has been said “if it’s not worth doing right, it’s not worth doing” or something like that- and I agree.
Over the past 14 months, I have reflected on my own existence. My family lost three loved ones: my father-in-law, Carlos Diaz, my 56 year-old sister Jessie Thomas and my cousin, Phyllis Lamar- she was 53. Each life had different a meaning for me and each , an intense impact on me. Carlos was a hard working, diligent and compassionate man; traits he unconsciously passed on to my husband. He had a few compulsions that contributed to the illness that ultimately took his life. My lovely sister was as beautiful as any woman could be. She had a contagious smile and a bright disposition. She lived hard though and that was her demise. My cousin Phyllis had beautiful eyes, smooth gorgeous skin and a bright smile but I knew little else about her. She was killed in a freak traffic accident on Christmas Eve of 2011 without any responsibility of her own. I will never forget the way she looked the last time I saw her, 43 years ago. The sum of these people is what they left behind. All of their earthly wealth was gone almost as quickly as they were. The best of them was what they passed on to their children and grandchildren. A sum total of 20 younger people will live forward here on Earth, without their input and most definitely missing the influence of their presence. So I am left to ask myself -“Am I living up to my full GOD-given potential?” I try to “matter” as some southern belles might say. But what am I doing that will last? All that I have can take no responsibility for. I look into the eyes of my three fascinating sons and I see a light that does not come from me. Each one, Jason, James and John holds the beautiful glow of Christ’s presence. (I am not responsible for that but I have great satisfaction in knowing I read them their first Bible stories.) A lasting relationship with our LORD and Savior is more than I could ask for them. I married a wonderful person who is the best friend I will ever have on this earth. He brings me joy and laughter almost (almost) every day of our lives together. I cannot honestly take responsibility for that either. I mean, only a loving GOD would lead me to the man who would meet and defy my dreams. Best of all, Jesus has been my mainstay in every relationship I have known; all props to Him. It is easy to see I have I done on my own. But it does not matter. My full GOD-given potential I only what He will allow. My hope, my life, everything rests on my relationship with Jesus Christ and I am good with that. He is everything and more than I have yet to know. Someday, I pray, I will be remembered for loving GOD with all my heart, and all my mind, and all my soul. Yes, that is my full GOD-given potential; Living glorifying His name and working in everyday that He has planned for me.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21
