Possibilities by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1907

Possibilities

By F. G.

POSSIBILITIES become realized facts only by the constant exercise of consecrated energy. This can not be exercised by another, but must be employed by the one who is undergoing change. Wishing for the change without an untiring effort seems only to put it off. The possibility of change is a gift from God. This possibility is what to a great extent differentiates man from the lower orders of the animal kingdom. It is next to impossible to make a good driving horse out of a heavy draft horse, but it is not impossible to make an alert, active, and keen-minded man out of a slow, stolid boy.

One can not tell by the appearance of a boy what possibilities there are in his life, nor measure the heights of usefulness to which he may attain. The homely, awkward, backwoods boy becomes a president, and guides the nation through the greatest crisis of its history. Scores of examples might be given of men and women who, in childhood and youth, gave no evidence either in their appearance or in natural ability of the usefulness and importance which they afterward attained. In the selection of David as king of Israel, by Samuel, God taught the lesson that we are not to judge of the possibilities which lie in the lives of the young by their appearance. God sees the heart, while man looks on the external.

It therefore becomes our duty to strive to bring out all the possibilities of every young life, paying no regard to any preconceived opinion which we may have formed. This applies with particular force to parents. It is imperative that high ideals for their children should be formed by them; for these ideals to a great extent measure their children's usefulness in after life. It is very easy for parents to become so engrossed in the getting of a living or the acquiring of more than they need, that the energies which should be given to the development of the possibilities that lie in their children are spent upon that which is of far less value. The degree of importance which parents attach to this question is generally the measure of importance which the children themselves attach to it. Occasionally we see children who push on and secure an education even though their parents may oppose, but generally speaking, this is not the case. It is true that the destiny of the child is largely in the hands of the parents.

God expects that every child shall have all his possibilities developed to the fullest extent, and he holds parents accountable for not doing their part in this development. Perhaps your child, parents, may be the one to fill a most important place in God's cause. He may be of great service in a great crisis; and all eternity may speak of his loyalty to truth, and so of your unfeigned faith and devotion to the discharge of your responsibility. F. G.