God Sees Our Potential

We all have some kind of mess in our lives, don’t we?

Sometimes the mess looks like a troubled marriage, a rebellious child, financial issues, addictions, or the clutter in our homes.

In my work as a home organizer, I often get invited into people’s “messes.” My clients are typically overwhelmed, drowning in stuff, and don’t know where or how to begin to tackle the problem.

I admire them. Why? Because it takes courage to admit you have a problem and need help.

Somewhere along the way, their mindset has shifted from, “I created this mess and now I have to live in it,” to “I may have created this mess, but I believe there is a better, freer way for me to live, and I’m ready.”

That’s when they call me. With great shame, they admit they have no organizational skills, their house is a disaster, they’re embarrassed, and they don’t know what to do next.

Can I tell you a secret? When I walk into those homes, I do see the problem, but more than that, I see the potential. My heart beats a little faster with excitement and anticipation because I know that family is only days away from having a peaceful, organized home that no longer drains them of energy but revitalizes them!

This work has taught me something important about God. He is not overwhelmed with or disgusted by my messes. He sees the problem, but more than that, he sees the potential.

What do you see when you look at yourself and others? Do you focus on the dirt, the mess, the chaos? Or do you see beyond, to the potential?

Does dirt negate worth?

Take for example, a hundred dollar bill that has been wadded up, stepped on, and is covered in dirt, is it of less value than the clean and crisp hundred dollar bill? Nope! Each one is still worth a hundred dollars, clean or dirty! Isn’t that true of people as well?

No one is of more or less value than you.

Our dirt does not make us less valuable.

Our cleanliness does not make us more valuable.

In fact, I wonder if our messes don’t become our greatest and hope-filled messages to the world.

If you aren’t convinced, maybe these examples from scripture will help:

Abraham looked at himself and saw an old and fatherless man, but God saw him as the father of many nations.

Gideon believed he was powerless and cowardly, but God said he was a valiant warrior who would defeat Israel’s enemies.

Jacob could only see himself as a deceiver who struggled with God and people, but God saw him as a man who overcomes.

Moses saw himself as a stammering and impatient fool only worthy of taking care of sheep, but God saw a leader who would guide his brothers and sisters out of bondage and oppression.

I could go on and on, but I hope you can see that God is not nearly as focused on our “messes” as we are! God sees our potential.

God sees in each of us a beautiful heart that’s been wounded, bruised, or hurt in some way. He knows that in order for our hearts to be healed, they will need to be handled with gentleness, kindness, patience, and love.

In his book, Tattoos on the Heart, Father Greg Boyle writes, “We see in others what they don’t see in themselves, until they do.” How incredible! How gracious and kind! Isn’t that exactly what God did for Abraham, Gideon, Jacob, and Moses?

Do you believe God is capable of seeing in you what you don’t see in yourself? He waits for the time when you will look in the mirror and see clearly how beautiful and wonderful you are. You are a reflection of the Divine, created in his image. You are the glory of God.

Oh to have the eyes of God! When he looks at us, he doesn’t focus on the muck and mire we are covered in. He sees past the filth, embraces us as we are, and calls us beloved. He doesn’t love the “clean” child more than the “dirty” child. He loves the child. Period.

Listen to him as he says, “There is nothing that can or will separate you from my love. There is a better, freer way for you to live and it comes when you are willing to stop punishing yourself for the messes you created, receive my help, and rest in the unconditional love, acceptance, and joy I have for you.”

Amy Chumbley is a Kentucky native. She has been married to her husband, Eric, for 28 years. They have two adult children, Megan and Sam, as well as two fur babies, Lucy and Shoshanna. Some of Amy’s favorite things include 80’s music, hot baths, and a clean house. She also enjoys traveling, walking her dogs, spending time with her kids, organizing and decorating homes, and hosting get-togethers and game nights for friends.