II Chronicles 21:20 He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed.

Occasionally a parent is told of their student, “He has a lot of potential.” That can be a good thing, of course. But it can also be a way of saying, “He’s just not doing much.” To have potential and do nothing with it is really sad. But is not all that uncommon.

Jehoram became king after his father Jehoshaphat. The kingdom was in pretty good shape. Jehoram was seated on the throne and he got right to work. The problem was, the focus of his kingdom was not making things better for the people and it certainly wasn’t serving God. He used all his resources to explore ways of making himself happy. He decided that he was in charge and he would do as he pleased. In the end, his kingship didn’t last long and no one was sad to see him go. Tragic.

We have been given potential. Varying amounts of course, but we all have potential. Jesus told a story of three people whose master gave them talents before going on a long trip. When he returned the first two had worked to improve upon what they’d been given and were praised. The third one did nothing. He wasted his potential and was thrown out.

So what will I do with the potential I’ve been given? Will I put it to God’s use or squander it on myself?

 

Blessings,

Pastor Russ