Chaplains Chat

We hear a lot in our western world about achieving our potential. Much of this can come from well-meaning sources and people encouraging us to strive to do better in our lives. People will often see talent and abilities in others and want them to use these skills. We should use the gifts we have and develop the skills that we possess (even work on those that we feel we need to). However, reaching our ‘potential’ is such a tricky concept to grasp. In fact, ultimately it is something that we can never really achieve. I am sure we all have more potential in us, no matter how hard we try or work at something.

Perhaps a different question to reflect upon is, “where are our talents and abilities being used in our lives?” Are they just being used ultimately for self, or do we see them being used around other people, in communities and even for the betterment of others around us? We all have skills and abilities in life across a range of different activities and interests. These have come from God. Yes, we can work to develop these, but let us also see how we can use these for the good of others. As 1 Peter 4: reminds us: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve other, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Rev. A Benn
Chaplain