69. The Glory and Burden of Potential

What if you haven't lived up to your potential?

In this reflection on Psalm 8, John Ortberg explores one of the great wonders of God's creation: human potential.

You can count the seeds in an apple.

But you cannot count the apples in a seed.

Human beings possess an extraordinary capacity to grow, create, love, serve and become. Psalm 8 looks at the vastness of the heavens and then marvels that God is mindful of us.

But there's another side to potential.

It can become a burden.

I should be further along.

I should have accomplished more.

I should have made better decisions.

I should be more successful, disciplined, attractive, productive or fulfilled.

What happens when the possibility of what we could become turns into disappointment over what we haven't become?

John offers two truths to carry with us:

“I am but dust and ashes.”

And:

“The whole world was created on my account.”

One reminds us that we are limited creatures.

The other reminds us that we are deeply loved.

And if you're worried that too much of your life has already passed or that you've wasted your potential, remember:

God never gets trapped in the past.

Today is still here.

And who knows what God may yet have in store?

In this episode:

• Psalm 8 and human potential
• Recovering awe and wonder
• Why we become blasé about extraordinary things
• Abraham Joshua Heschel on human possibility
• What it means to participate in the divine nature
• How potential becomes a burden
• The pressure to constantly optimize our lives
• “I am but dust and ashes”
• “The whole world was created on my account”
• What to do when you feel insignificant
• What to do when you feel too important
• Letting go of regret about wasted potential
• Why God isn't trapped in your past

Scriptures:
 Psalm 8 • 2 Peter 1:4 • Genesis 18:27 • Luke 23:39–43

#Psalm8 #JohnOrtberg #Potential #Psalms #SpiritualFormation #Purpose #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Identity #Hope

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Music Credits:

Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE

Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

00:00 The Burden of Potential
 00:11 You Can't Count the Apples in a Seed
 00:34 Psalm 8 & Human Potential
 00:55 Have You Considered the Heavens Lately?
 01:15 How We Lose Our Sense of Wonder
 01:33 What Is Mankind That You Are Mindful of Us?
 02:05 The Potential of the Human Soul
 02:22 What Could This Child Become?
 02:54 Apples in a Seed
 03:05 Made to Participate With God
 03:22 Participate in the Divine Nature
 04:19 Do You Remember What It Was Like With God?
 05:31 The Legend of the Child and the Torah
 06:44 E. E. Cummings & the Wonder of Creation
 07:12 When Potential Becomes a Burden
 07:32 What Am I Going to Do With All This Potential?
 08:00 The Pressure to Optimize Your Life
 08:59 Two Truths You Need to Carry
 09:27 I Am But Dust and Ashes
 09:33 The Whole World Was Created on My Account
 09:45 When You Feel Too Important
 10:04 When You Feel Insignificant
 10:25 What If You've Wasted Your Potential?
 10:47 The Thief on the Cross
 11:08 God Isn't Trapped in Your Past
 11:18 You Still Can't Count the Apples in a Seed