I had a startling revelation recently – I almost failed kindergarten.

Now understand – I graduated in the top 10% of my high school. Got my Bachelor of Science and Engineering with an A average. My Master of Divinity was with honors. I read – a ton, and a variety – theology, philosophy, literature, business, technical.

I don’t say this to brag, but so that you can understand why this revelation surprised me.

My parents found out years later when they discovered that my first grade teacher was the remedial teacher for poor students.

About the same time I found a Peanuts strip where Linus finds out that he didn’t make the honor roll. “Everyone’s so upset because I didn’t make the honor roll…my mother’s upset, my father’s upset, my teacher’s upset, the principal’s upset…good grief! They all say the same thing. They’re disappointed because I have such potential…There’s no heavier burden than a great potential!“

My dad didn’t treat us as disappointments. He wrote and still sings a song called “I Am Special“:

I am special, there is no one quite like me,
I’m a wonder, I can think and feel and dream,
I’m a marvel, and more!
I can love you, care for you, show you how special you can be.

My parents saw my potential and encouraged it. They did the same with my brothers and sisters. Each of them struggled at various points in their lives. One is a successful community organizer, one is a leading musician, another is working on a PhD in philosophy, and the youngest is in education.

So how does that fit into our ministry in our marketplace? How do you see those around you? Do you see their failures or their potential?

Amazing how God works – as I had my revelation, I was reading John C. Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates Few Connect.

Here are some of his thoughts on how to connect with people and their potential:

  • “see each person as a 10″
  • “If we treat people as who they can become, they will be inspired to rise to the level of our expectations.”
  • “Everyone wants to be inspired. All people want someone to believe in them. They are waiting for someone to challenge, motivate, and encourage them to be all they can be.”

Jesus did the same thing. Reread the passage where Peter is restored in John 21. Peter had failed – in a major way. Yes Jesus saw his potential.

Paul did the same thing. Remember how he rejected Mark in Acts 15, parting company with Barnabus? Yet by the end of his ministry, in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul said that Mark was useful to him in his ministry.

So there is our challenge. Who is special?

You are. Your neighbor is. Look for their potential. Build the church by seeing them as God sees them.

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