POWER UP!
Where do they get it? Those 4-year-olds with their boundless energy? The rest of us wish that energy could be bottled or perhaps purchased and ingested in pill form. Most would peg youth as the source of energy.
One of our church members was sponsored by a family who is high up at Idaho Power—of course they would consider other sources of energy: hydroelectric, for example, which makes up the bulk of Idaho’s base power load. Coal-fired generators in other Western states make up nearly half of the power we use in Boise. Finally, our power is supplemented by natural gas plants. The source of our power may have been a slight surprise to you. If you live outside of Idaho, do a little research as to where your power comes from—the answer may surprise you.
The source of power to light up your kitchen at night may be somewhat fresh information to you but the source of power for your spiritual life should be no mystery . . . yet it may suit us well to pause on this point for a moment’s consideration.
Whose power are you tapping into as you continue on your spiritual journey? I respectfully challenge you to compare your knee-jerk reaction to your actual day-to-day spiritual activity. If you are trying to power up the mountains of challenge, face temptations, and illuminate areas in need of attention without tapping into the power source of God’s Gospel, you are trying to live spiritually off the power in you. Unless you are a Disney film, this just isn’t going to cut it. Connected to God’s powerful Gospel is our only link to the power we need to move from spiritually surviving to spiritually striving to spiritually thriving. God gives it. God powers it. God is the source.
The awesome passage we plug into is Colossians 1:29:
“To this end I labor, struggling with all
His energy, which so powerfully works
in me.”
This verse sparkles as we shed a bit more light on the specifics. Note first that this is God’s gift. Paul here is talking about sharing the Good News of sins forgiven through Jesus and teaching others what God has done. Living the Christian life—letting our light shine—requires power. God is the Source.
Note secondly that God is totally straight up honest with you, communicating that our spiritual walk is challenging at times. God inspired the words “labor” and “struggle” (strive, outlay effort and strength) as he describes our walk. This need not discourage us, but rather encourage and empower us to know God helps us to follow him each day.
Note finally that God is at work in you. You are the lamp, bro. You are the lamp, sis. Think of how the lamp is just the conduit through which light enters the home, powered by being plugged into the outlet. You are the vessel—the jar of clay—the lamp.
So, God is with you, fellow-lamp, as you let your light shine. Stay connected to your power source, even as He has directed you, “remain in me and I will remain in you.” God is with you as you let your light shine in this sin-darkened world. God is with you as you tell others about the One who has “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” You may be striving to be efficient with your electricity in your home. But letting your light shine is one switch you don’t ever have to switch off.
Prayer idea: Praise God for enlightening you and empowering you in your spiritual life. Ask for God’s help and new opportunities to let your light shine (share with others how great God is).
Blessings on your week,
--Pastor Dan