Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5, ESV)
High Potential, HiPots.
During the classic and intense General Electric era led by Jack Welch, lists were formed that identified the cream of the crop. The employees to watch, to nourish, to reward and promote. HiPots. There was nothing egalitarian about the culture. It was an environment rooted in competition, and not just with marketplace rivals, but often within the ranks of associates.
Employee evaluations were based on the four-E’s. Energy, energize, edge and execution. It was the four letter word; edge, that was often the differentiator. It was the HiPot definer.
Now, 16 years removed from the GE culture, I’ve come to define and appreciate HiPots and “edge” in a new and humbling way. Lately, I’ve learned it in the class that is being taught by Christy and Jason Currie. Jason is the Youth For Christ Executive Director in Omaha, Nebraska, and his wife, Christy, is an integral part of the leadership formula that has led to a surge in ministry growth and effectiveness. At 39 years old, the Currie’s are perfectly positioned to be the classic HiPots.
They are what every organizational CEO looks to recruit and retain… but they are not a part of YFC because of me, they are an integral part of our mission because of the constraining call of God. They love young people in their city. They love the beauty and power of the message of Christ. Our mission inspires them, and the Holy Spirit empowers them.
HiPots. But not cut out of the fabric of ladder climbing, stock-option holding, wealth accumulating employees, but out of something with far more lasting “edge”.
Together Jason and Christy stand in durable solidarity. In the face of Christy’s second cancer diagnosis and a body racked with pain, the Currie’s resume includes suffering. But the fierce and difficult diagnosis has not distracted them from being HiPots… no, for the Currie’s this cancer journey has defined their qualification. Their edge.
HiPots. Seasoned in suffering. Humble in hope. Confident in Christ. HiPots.
Christy and Jason are authentic in their journey, because Christ was authentic in His. They expose the Biblical definition of edge and HiPot. They teach from the posture of pain. They are the best of what we want to be, of what I want to be.
A resume of character born of pain. Endurance. Hope. Rising hope. Durable hope. Eternal hope.
HiPot. Pure gold.
Christy and Jason. Tears of grit. HiPot redefined.
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