Have you ever watched a child and made predictions about what he or she would become?
The little industrious girl who studied hard in school was told by her graduating class that she was the most likely to succeed. The little bad boy that was constantly in trouble, suspended from school and displayed criminal tendencies was told that he would count for nothing in life, prison was his destiny.
The child born with a physical handicap, what kind of life did we predict for that boy or girl? The Black child or the poorest white trash, what chances do we give them to succeed in life when the odds seem stacked against them? Poverty, ignorance, and social proscription seem to define the existence and their future. Yet, despite the obvious, many have watched their predictions shattered.
They have seen girls who were not very industrious in school, become great leaders. They have seen the bad boys of the elementary schools become the great businessmen and leaders of their generation.
They have seen the physically challenged win Olympic competitions, write books and challenge the world.
They have seen many lose themselves from the dire expectations of poverty and rise to heights never imagined by those who doubted the possibilities. We have learned, through experience, never to second guess what God can do with a life that is placed in his hands.
As Christians, we should never write anyone off or discount them as trash. Everyone has value to God and everyone has a purpose. In his hands we that purpose will be made known and reach its fullest potential.