Ironies abound, everywhere you look. The one’s that always strike me are where the contrast is extreme. Bright sun shining in the midst of a hard rain causes me to reflect. A day full of all four seasons is reason to pause. A car or truck wreck on a serene day without involving another person or vehicle puts one’s head to thinking about a wide range of subjects.
Paradoxes involving people often cause the most wonder. The young face and body holding a mature bass voice startled me to say the least. A statement of profound wisdom from an otherwise flighty kid reminded me that each carry a child within that is full of potential wisdom. The willingness and enthusiasm of a thirty-year veteran to endorse, adopt, and lead change breaks the molds. Discovering that enthusiastic pursuit of the same God in one who reflects my priorities and values yet does not wear the standard clothing, affirms my own journey in ways that I do not know how to express.
I always wonder how God sees our potential. What would he say when we fail to take advantage of the gifts he continues to give us. One comment is as follows.
“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful face on an empty head.” (Proverbs 11.22)
In today’s world it is likely that some will bristle with those words, reacting that they are sexist. I am not so sure anymore! Men and women wear rings in their snouts, as do both genders of pigs, cows, bulls, and a wide variety of farm animals. Beautiful faces are found all around us, in every culture, location, and gender. The lost potential reflected by an empty head is a waste, no matter who is the one under scrutiny!
The reflection this morning is one of potential. Sure, we have made progress and contributed at times. But, what could we have done? More importantly, what are we going to do? The question is not only for tomorrow, but what of today. The gifts and potential are here.
