One Sunday morning, a minister made this statement, "anyone can count how many seeds are in an apple, but only God can count how many apples are in a seed".

At the time I was in business for myself as an insurance agent. I immediately saw the business application.  For twenty-five years I was on the phone calling clients and referrals. It was discouraging at times. I latched on to anything that would motivate and encourage me.   

I went home after the service and cut open an apple, took a seed to work, and taped it to my telephone. Every time I dialed a number I looked at the seed and remembered what the pastor said.   I was encouraged to continue, thinking about see how many sales, how much commission, how many referrals might be in the next phone call.  It worked so well I shared it with other agents.

What's wrong with this picture?

It wasn't until years later when I was on staff at a Christian rehab center. I found myself judging residents.  God brought this concept back to my mind.  This time, rather than using it to motivate myself to make money, I related it spiritually.   I realized I was looking at an alcoholic, drug addict, or ex-offender on the outside, with spiritual gifts, talents, and potential for fulfilling God's purpose on the inside. 

In Myles Munroe's books on potential he puts it like this, "in a seed is a forest because a seed produces fruit that produces seed that produces fruit that produces seed that produces fruit" (paraphrased).  You get the idea . . . don't you? When you plant a tomato seed you envision a plant producing many tomatoes.  This is what motivates you  water, weed, and nurture it . . .  knowing you'll enjoy the fruit it produces. 

God plants, nurtures,  motivates, guides, and directs.  He tells us to plant seeds, tells others to water, and He brings the increase.

In every seed is the potential for a great forest.  Someone planted a seed in Billy Graham, Myles Munroe, Max Lucado, John C. Maxwell, Charles Stanley, T. D. Jakes, Zig Ziglar, Robert S. McGee, Rick Warren, me, you . . . and millions of others.

Who am I to judge the inside of any person?