The great musician Leonard Bernstein said that when he was young his father strenuously opposed his going into music. Bernstein explained, “If you were to ask my father today if he opposed this, he would deny it. But he would rationalize by saying, ‘How was I to know that he was a Leonard Bernstein?’”
That reply, “How was I to know?” is a classic. How was he to know? We simply cannot see all the potential in people—especially people we live as close to as our children. It is usually someone else, like a coach or a teacher, who sees the unseen in them and draws them out. We should thank God for such people who give their lives to discovering and developing the best in our children.
There is no one better able to bring out the best in us than Jesus. From the beginning of his life he has done this for people. He did it to all of the apostles. He has continued to do it in history. And he is doing it at this present hour in scores of lives. Do you long to achieve your highest potential? Seek the counsel and leadership of Jesus Christ. Others may not know our potential, but he does and he can help us make the most of it.