PEOPLE POTENTIAL

Many years ago, an obscure inventor built a racing car. He didn’t give it a name, he gave it a number: 999. After many tests, he hired a cyclist named Barney Oldfield to drive it in a race. During the race, the car hit a top speed of sixty miles an hour – a mile a minute. That race brought the driver and the builder of the car much attention and launched their careers.

Years later, the builder and the driver of the race car met one another for the first time. The builder looked at Oldfield and said, “You made me, Barney, and I made you.”

“True,” said Oldfield, “but it took both us working together to be successful.”

Every day we look into the eyes of people who are waiting to be recognized. They want someone to reach out to them and give them hope. A great example is Andrew and Peter.

John, in his gospel, tells us that “the first thing” Andrew did after he began to follow Jesus was to “find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah…’”

The simple invitation “to follow Jesus” that Andrew extended to Peter changed the world. Things would one day be different for everyone because of what he would accomplish. So, it was necessary for “Cephas” to have a new “identity.” Believing he could do great things, Jesus gave him a new name: Peter, meaning “rock.” And, despite his fears and failures, his doubts and betrayals, he became a “solid rock” in the early church and became one of the “inner three” in the life of Jesus. When the “rock” heard the voice of God at Pentecost, his enthusiasm erupted, and he inspired many to do great things for God. All because someone recognized him!

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to see people the way Jesus did – not as they are, but who they can become. May we encourage others to follow You and discover a new life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). John 1:40-43