Whose Power Are You Using?

 

Suppose someone gave you a car and said you need to get it from Point A to Point B.  You have two choices: you can push it there or you can get in and let the car do what cars are good for and drive it there.  Are you exhausted, worn out from trying so hard to achieve some outcome (professionally, relationally, spiritually, or something else)?  If so, there’s a very good chance you are pushing the car when instead you should climb in and let God’s power work in you.

 

Colossians 1:29 - To this end I labor, struggling with His energy which works so powerfully in me.

 

Things to think about:

·       This verse was a major hit in the head for me.  It was one of those that “jumped off the page” because it was so clear that it is God’s energy that should be animating my efforts.  I don’t know about you but often I vacillate between “it’s all up to me” and “God’s got this”. 

·       Which leads to the second point:

o   We have a part to play in whatever God has set our hand to.  Paul says that he labored and struggled.  He was an active participant, not a spectator.

·       Think for a minute about Paul’s job description:

o   To preach the Gospel to 95%+ of the world’s population to make sure that they did not die lost in their sins.  The consequences of a poorly performed job were catastrophic and eternal!

o   Now, what’s keeping you up at night, working your fingers to the bone, acting as if success or failure is completely dependent on you?

·       If we could do all that God has called us to do in our own strength, who would get the glory?

o   Psalm 68:35 - You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
    the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

o   Isaiah 40:28-31 - He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

o   2 Cor. 12:9-10 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

·       Are you tired today?  Is it all getting to be a bit too much?

o   Maybe it’s time to stop pushing the car and hop in.

o   Phil.4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me