Potential

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, so understand that those who have faith are Abraham's sons. Now the Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed in you. So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith. - Galatians 3:6-9 HCSB

There are many things that I cannot be. I cannot be a kohen (a Levitical priest) because that singular privilege is reserved for those who are descendents of Levi. I may be a priest[1], but not a Levite.

I may not be gifted with Nehemiah’s or Moses’ leadership qualities. They received their genetic predispositions from the Giver of Good Gifts and it is not up to me to question His judgment. As the Lord said to Isaiah, “Woe to the one who argues with his Maker- one clay pot among many. Does clay say to the one forming it: What are you making?”[2]

This also applies to intelligence and natural insight. All men receive insight from God,[3] but God may not choose to show me the same things He revealed to Daniel or Paul. All I can do is rejoice for my brothers who have been so gifted and listen to what God has allowed them to share with me.

So, I cannot be a Levite. I do not necessarily have the same degree of giftedness that others may have. I do however have this – I can become a tzaddik. I can become as much a blessing as our spiritual ancestor Abraham was.

There have not always been Jews around. Abram was not a Jew. He was from Ur of the Chaldees[4], making him a Mesopotamian.[5] It was only after Elohim got hold of him that Abram became a Hebrew.[6] The reason that we all look back with such great respect to this man is that he exercised simple faith in what God told him. As a result, all the nations of the world have been blessed.

We too have the same opportunity. We can exercise simple faith in what God has told us in His Word, allowing Yahweh M’kadesh to make us holy and righteous. Beyond this imputed righteousness, however, we can become a blessing to the whole world. We can do greater works that our Master.[7] We can bring the Good News to the whole world.[8]

Too often we waste time whining about all the things that we cannot do. Those who are not intellectually gifted wish they were. Those who cannot sing wish they could. Those who are physically handicapped wish they were whole. We cannot argue with our Maker in these matters. We must learn to be content with whatever condition He has chosen to grant us.[9]

Yet, in regards to righteousness and faith, each of us may potentially be as great as Abraham. Each may strive for greatness with Yah’s blessing.

[1] 1 Peter 2:9
[2] Isaiah 45:9
[3] Romans 1:18-20
[4] Genesis 11:31
[5] Acts 7:2
[6] Genesis 14:13
[7] John 14:12
[8] Matthew 28:19-20
[9] Philippians 4:11