Potential - Kirk (Story of Gideon)

This week we launched our new discussion series, "at the movies" with the mega-hit film of the year STAR TREK. There several themes to explore but the biggest one was the theme of POTENTIAL. Things have changed with the new time-line of Kirk, Spock and McCoy.
Much is the same as we have know it, but much has changed.

Kirk is not the "stack of books" that was described in the classic series.
No, now he is simply drifting through life, bars, girls and bar fights are his way.
Until Capt. Pike dares him to rise to his potential. The potential that given to him partly by the sacrifice of his father. (George Kirk).

Gideon in the OT has a similar challenge put to him by the "angel of the Lord" in Judges chapter 6. The angel calls young Gideon a "Mighty Hero" as he is hiding in a cave.

In both cases each man clearly has some natural ability and talent going for them. But simply living in that ability is not really getting them anywhere. Not until they choose to accept the dare / challenge and act. To choose to act and reach our potential is so hard, especially if we have gotten by on our natural ability, look, smarts, etc.

But your natural ability is NOT you full potential.
Man have people responded to that phrase this week. (Thanks to God for that one!)
Ability is one thing, achieving our full potential takes commitment, work, dedication and help. To reach our full potential we need others to support us, challenge us and even dare us to do better. What potential is locked inside of us... most will never know. What potential is within our local churches.... many don't really care to even ask the question.

God created us in His image. That's got to mean that each of us has amazing potential.
I dare you to rise up.
I dare you to not stay the way you are, but to press forward with God.

Potential is such an unknown thing. I wonder what my full potential for God's glory is. I wonder Journey's full potential for God's Kingdom is. I long to see it.