Last Monday I had the opportunity to play billiards with our very own Bryant Miller. And guess what? That young man knows how to shoot pool! Bryant and his friend Nate came over for a couple of hours and we had a really good time. When I was watching them both shoot, I noticed that they both had great potential to be good pool shooters. Bryant has an “eagle eye” and a confident strike. Nate has an unbelievable touch. Now understand that these young fellows are only thirteen years old and haven’t had much experience around a pool table. I gave them a few pointers and tried to help without turning our day into some kind of “pool camp” for beginners. What I’m trying to say is that, given the right instruction and more experience, these boys can develop into good players who would truly enjoy the game. I began playing at a very young age and have now owned my own table for close to thirty years. I can hold my own and even win a few games in the process. It’s a fun game and I get a lot of enjoyment from it. Now, I realize that some may say, “Listen Pastor, What does this have to do with anything spiritual or in the grand scheme of things?” If you can’t see it, I’m sorry, but I can’t take time to explain it to you now. Suffice it to say, there is potential in us all, and all of us have potential! You can quote me on that About twelve years ago, Robin and I were holding a service up in Mansfield Prison. It happen to be the weekend of their arts and crafts show and after service we were invited to view all of the entrees. Wow! What talent! From paintings and drawings to sculptures and statues. Those guys had talent! But alas, it was all for naught. None of their talent could buy them what they really wanted –their freedom. I thought to myself, “If only their potential could have been developed before they went down the wrong road. How many Rembrandts became just a number in the penal system? Oh, what a tragedy. But let me share with you a bigger tragedy, one that effects eternity. I see people every day with great spiritual potential. I say to myself, “Boy, what would they be like if they would give their lives over to the Lord?” And closer to home; “What would they be like if they only put into practice what I’ve been trying to teach them.” Please don’t mis- understand. I am not saying that I am some great Christian that will leave a legacy of Christ-like influence for years after my death. But I have been a Christian for twenty-two years and I do know a little something about the Word of God. I see potential in people, potential to be stronger Christians, living stronger lives. You see, just as I believed that I could instruct Bryant and Nate to become better pool players, more importantly, I see that these young men have potential to become good strong Christian disciples. My prayer is for all of us to not only see the potential in ourselves but in others as well. I believe that we all can reach that great potential of a Christ-like life because… “Greater is he that lives in you than he who is in the world!”