He Saw Not What I Was…

A loser without direction I drifted aimlessly
On the backside of a place called nowhere forgotten by humanity
When they talked about potential they did not refer to me
For everyone could clearly see what I was I’d always be

Musing on an old gospel song…

…And the Anglican prayer book:

…We have erred, and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done…

‘A loser without direction’… ‘straying like lost sheep’… I identify with both on a bad day…

As teachers we looked for potential in children… to read and write, to be scientists, artists or athletes… not always to be experts but to be the best that they could be – to fulfil their potential.

Yesterday afternoon I watched Graduation Day at Spurgeon’s College. Awards to ministers, to academics… PhD, MTh, MA, BA… first class honours… dissertations with grand titles… men and women who had studied for many years. Proud of their achievements they stepped forward. Everyone applauded.

19-year-old Levi from Lowestoft stepped forward. A Certificate in Theology, awarded for his studies in his gap year… It’s about his potential… his life, his faith…

Potential’s not just about young people… it’s about me being the best I can be… living up to my potential today… My faith reminds me that my God sees that potential, and then gives me the guidance and strength to be the best version of me I can be

But He saw not what I was He saw what I could be
When He reached His hand to where I was He took a chance on me
For all He had to hope for was just a possibility
Still He saw not what I was He saw what I could be