Are You Willing to be Exposed?

In my last post I shared briefly about my experience at a testing day for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons--a particular breed of dogs that are made for hunting. Watching these dogs do what they were made to do got me thinking about what God has made me to do. I went on to suggest that identifying what you were created to do will greatly determine how effectively you participate in advancing the kingdom of God.

I want to briefly share one more reflection that has stemmed from witnessing this training day. In my previous post I alluded to the "Natural Ability" test that younger dogs are put through to assess their natural hunting ability. One thing I noticed is that not all dogs performed equally. And it wasn't just because of genetics. What it really came down to was exposure. Exposure consists of making available all the circumstances that would allow a young pup to develop its natural instincts in conjunction with its genetic makeup. In other words, exposure unlocks what the dog is capable of doing given the right opportunity. Such opportunities include "exposing" a dog to different scents on a regular basis. Learning to track an animal by scent is something a griff is genetically capable of doing given the right exposure. So the way a particular dog performs on the "Natural Ability" test is predominately a matter of exposure. Dogs that have been given more consistent exposure by their handler will most likely perform better because they have been given the opportunity to realize their full potential. The reverse is also true. Dogs that have not been given adequate exposure will not perform well because they were not given the opportunity realize their full potential.

What if it is the same for us?

What if reaching our full potential depends on engaging in opportunities of exposure?

Let me suggest that God has given each human being a unique set of gifts and abilities. But the degree to which those gifts and abilities will reach full maturation depends upon our willingness to actively develop and use them. Those that consistently take advantage of exposure opportunities where they exercise those gifts and abilities will be closer to reaching all that God intended for them. The reverse is also true. Those that consistently avoid the risk of exposure opportunities and refuse to exercise their gifts and abilities will be further from all that God intended for them.

The gifts and talents are in there. They are waiting to be unlocked. But it is a matter of exposure. It is a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you to realize your full potential. Are you willing to be exposed?