What is it that you define yourself by?
For some people their occupation/ profession, or their job is what defines them. For example I have personally met a number of doctors who have patiently decided that they are Dr first and person second.
Others I am sure do something similar to my Dr Doctors and cluster around in groups of similar minded or situated people. This does not have to be a situation of prominence or qualification; it is equally true for many of those in the lower social strata. In a lot of ways this group have had their situation imposed by their situation and perception of their capacity to extricate themselves from where they find themselves.
As a follower of Christ Jesus I feel that this sort of definition is self deceptive and more, it is self limiting. You see I believe that there are two realities at work in our lives. There is the physical reality which is the result of our circumstances and our choices, but there is also the potential reality.
Potential reality is the freedom to see ourselves as beings of a wider possibility. In a sense it is a part of our “Spiritual Nature” but it goes beyond the Religious spiritual concepts. A man is masculine by personality usually. If he is married he is a husband. If they have children he is a father and as you can imagine this goes on adding responsibilities and facets to his personality.
The people above who define themselves by restricted facets have the potential to grow within their life by simply recognizing the limitations of their perceptions. This includes the professional and the slum dwellers. Both have self limiting ideas about what is important and miss out on opportunities to grow by the way they see themselves.
From the faith angle there is a further element to potential reality. That is the difference that exists between the way that we see ourselves and the way that Father sees us. For the reality is that He has an image of us which is not the result of circumstance or learning, He sees us as potentially whole and has a task for each of us, if we will only accept it.
The Bible is full of stories about people who went from one situation to another that seemed inconceivable. Take for example Moses, David and Esther, in the Old Testament, and Peter and Paul in the New. Each of these people and so many others went through a life changing experience that took them to the place where Father had the calling on their life.
In fact it is David and Paul who are responsible for most of my Theology of Potential Reality. The verse in Philippians that I see most commonly quoted is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13 says everything about Potential Reality.
Potential Reality is not denying the physical reality. Instead it is recognizing the situation we are in and by trusting Father were look to move to the reality that He has in mind for us. Paul complained to Father about a physical ailment and was told by Father “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9. His comment shows that there are changes that we can imagine which are beyond the scope of Potential Reality but denied by the Lord of Love.
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