Living the Power-On Life

I have a dear friend. He is kind and generous. He is gifted in many ways, yet has a unique way of taking special notice of others. People gravitate to him; there's just something about him. Best of all, He knows the Lord and desires to live to please Him. 

Only problem is... he is trapped in a prison of his own making. You see, my friend doesn't see himself the way others see him. For him, life has been a struggle. Plagued by insecurities, he battles daily with self-esteem issues. He crumbles under the weight of others' scrutiny. He feels he will never be good enough... not smart enough... not talented enough... never enough. He wonders why? Why must his life be so hard? He doubts anyone else carries the same burden or understands what he has gone through... is going through and will always go through for the rest of his life. 

My heart aches for him. I want so much to help him. I tell him time and time again he's special, made in the image of God, fully known and fully accepted by the God of the universe... created a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour (Psalm 8:5). I tell him he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13), that with God's power working in him God can do much much more than he can ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I remind him that when we are weak then we are strong. That our weakness opens the door to God's strength. I remind him over and over.

But I'm preaching to myself... and to you. I'm encouraging my friend to live the 'power-on' life, but what about me? Am I living in full acceptance of who I am in Christ? Has my soul been infused with the reality that my life is now hidden in Christ? So much so, that my life surges with His power? Is my God big and man small? Or is it the other way around? Am I a victim or a victor? Is my value based on how others see me or how my God sees me? Are my eyes so fixed on my Lord, my hands and feet so tightly gripped to the purpose He has called me to, that the world fades into the background? 

I'm afraid not. Sometimes it's just 'Christianese' - it rings true, is theologically sound... but sadly lacking in actual-living-proof. I'm not convinced that I am allowing the power of God to be freely displayed in my life. It's not just my friend who is trapped. I too, allow the thoughts of my mind to erect bars around the Holy Spirit, preventing His life-giving presence to radiate from my life. 

Oh, I long to be free. 

What does living the power-on life look like to me? 

I don't think my introverted personality will magically change and I will suddenly embrace hitherto uncomfortable scenarios such as presenting my faith to large, auditorium-sized audiences, or take unheard of risks or travel the world to spread the good news? I know there is no limit to what the Commander of heaven's armies can do through me, and if I allow myself to imagine it...it's actually quite exciting to think about. But mostly, when I think of God's power being displayed through me... through ordinary me... I think of victory. Victory over the constant tirade of temptations and the self-satisfying sins that so easily besiege me. Victory over the chains of fear and doubt that too often entangle me. Victory to overcome because He has overcome. 

And I think of boldness. Boldness to approach His throne, to denounce Satan's grip on my thoughts and to share my Saviour's soul-satisfying love with a thirsty world. 

Victory and Boldness. 

Oh, I long for victory. 

But there is hope... there is always hope. There is a promise for those of us who believe. It speaks of an 'incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [God] exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him on His right hand in the heavenly realms.' Ephesians 1: 19-20 

Take a minute and ponder that. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead... available for me. Can you even begin to comprehend that? 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 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. Isaiah 40:28-9

It is a promise that my friend, and you, and I can depend on for it is made by the One who never ever breaks a promise. 

So, I tell my friend he is doubly blessed. Not only has he received the Almighty's free gift of salvation, but his acute awareness of his frailty kindles the release of God's mighty power in his life. 

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Right where he is... just as he is... through one 'little' significant choice at a time... spark by power-surging spark - ignited by the in-dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit... he can live the 'Power-on' life. And so can I.

What about you?

Is your life aflame with the power of the Almighty God? 

Are you like my friend? Like me? Or are you mistakenly convinced of your own power... thinking you have it all under control?

Do you fix your thoughts on God and His surpassing power? Or are you preoccupied with your own ability/inability? 

And finally, are you quenching the Spirit's fire by careless and immoral thoughts, words and actions? Or are you making yourself available... abiding in the presence of the Most High God to be continually filled with His Holy Spirit?

As you enjoy the video 'The Same Power', take a few minutes to really consider these questions. 

Blessings, my friend. May you truly live the 'Power-On' life. 

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Living the Power-On Life