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Topic: Power (05/10/04)
TITLE: Powerless Power By Sarah Balk Bond 05/12/04 |
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So, is this weird yet? A perfect stranger wishing you well, a faceless person you read praying for you?
Is this how it is with God and us? Is He only a person we pray to and visit on Sunday? or better yet a person we only read, and never really know or see? I think in a world where even a relationship with God is a challenge, understanding the power of God is as foreign to us as receiving a personal letter from a relative stranger.
I mean, He gave us the "power to become the sons of God," right? But do we really know Him? And if not, how do we get to point with our Savior where we not only require a personal relationship we use personal power?
I don't know if I am the only one who does this, but sometimes I just pray and ask to show me what I need to do by revealing the answer as I open the Bible. Sometimes I cry and beg Him to comfort me and truly be all I need. And this is where I find the power of God. Not to the spiritually strong or quick, the brilliantly performed request or even to the wise. I believe we find the power of God, when we relinquish the grasping power of ourselves.
A couple of days ago, I was really struggling. I was lonely, I felt unattractive and unwanted. I was even starting to believe, unloved. I talked to God about some issues I had with my single state, mainly that I wanted someone to want me. I prayed and cried and opened my Bible, sure I was going to find some verse about being content, or repenting for covetousness. I tend to read highlighted portions in my Bible or the words of Christ in red, and first passage that caught my eye was," And henceforth you will catch men." I burst out laughing!
The power of God was shown to me in His ability to understand my human weakness. Over and over I am astounded to find that the power of God rests not in great miracles or deeds, but in His overwhelming power to understand where we are. I have found power in acknowledging that in of myself, I have no power. And that is when I receive the power of God: the power to be who He has called us to be, the power to follow Him and be a Son of God.
I know that passage was mean for Peter, used as a metaphor for salvation. I also know that God used once for someone named Sarah, to show her her folly and to give her laughter. The power of God is His amazing capacity for knowledge, judgement and mercy. Our power is " for God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Here's to power.