Not that Powerful

Year Four-Day 266: Today, I will be grateful for the truth that "I am not that powerful". 

"If you think you've blown God's plan for your life, rest in this. You, my beautiful friend, are not that powerful." - Lisa Bevere

Lisa Bevere's quote here really stirs my soul. What an encouraging word. The best part of this encouraging word is that it is true. It is not empty words. 

God is the Master at taking people that appear too broken to matter much to the world... and transforms them by his forgiveness and grace. He fills the hole in our souls and makes us whole. Then, what we allow Him to do in our lives is what defines the relationship. 

Moses...adopted into the palace but he knew his roots. He knew his people and his story. He had blood on his hands. Temper ridden and defiant at times. Not the best public speaker. He was the one chosen to lead a nation out of slavery and act as God's spokesman. How many times did he think he had blown God's plan for his life? 

Again... Saul to Paul... evidence of a Master's hand in a messed up plan. Saul believed in what he was doing when he persecuted Christians. He was had know idea what was ahead. He courageously let go of the brokenness in his life when he allowed it to be transformed by Christ's love. He did not let his past interfere with God's plan for his future. 

Rahab...a protitute... would find redemption, love and ultimately end up in the genealogy of Jesus.  Yes, she was a part of his story!  

Ruth... widow... an ethnic minority in her husbands family... with a broken heart and a sorrowful mother-in-law that took a great deal of her energy. God moved in her life in a powerful way simply because she kept her trust in him and continued to seek his face and do the right thing through her mountain of troubles.  She, too, is in the genealogy of Jesus. She was not too broken. She trusted a sovereign God.

David's sin with Bathsheba was not the end of his story and God's plans for his life. It was a turbulent time and God did allow tough consequences... really tough...  but it wasn't the end. 

The one super power he gives us is our ultimate choice to choose him as Lord and King or to reject him to do our own thing. It is really that simple. Choose Him or refuse Him. The only exercise requirement is that we exercise love for Him and love for each other. (Insert deep sigh of relief.) Now, the training program can be tough on our human nature... 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7 

Yes... a simple training exercise strategy. But tough, too. 

Paraphrased - let His plan become your plan. Resist Satan. Don't let the enemy tempt, block or overcome you... because guess what? Satan, my friend, is not that powerful. Don't give in to his taunts and terrors. 

Embrace this day.  Some days we feel His hand. Other days, we just press on as instructed. Find comfort His Word. Be encouraged and encourage others. Trust the master planner with your best...and your mess. He's got your back, your front, your sideways and upside down. HE IS that powerful. 

Today, I will be grateful for the truth that "I am not that powerful".