Living On Me Power
/I just finished reading a chapter in Max Lucado's "Come Thirsty". I realized he was talking to me, especially the old me. I used to run on ME power. I would try to do all the work of Christ on my power. I can honestly say that it leaves you tried and thirsty.
I remember when I was working at the church and how good I thought I was doing. Keywords "I thought". You see I was trying to do it on my own power. I liked the way Max described it. He told about a place where everyone pushed their cars. They would start the engine put it into neutral and then get out and push. I had been doing some form of that all my Christian life. Oh, once in a while I would get in and use the power of the Holy Spirit but only once in a while. Do you know where that leaves you? Yep, tried, thirsty, angry, resentful and thinking I just cannot do enough. I was there. When things began going a way I did not like I tried to change the direction on my own. You want to know what God did to get my attention. He got me out of full time work in fact He got me out of work completely. I was looking for a new job at 54 and had four months to do it. God made sure I got the message. On the last day of my severance pay He came through. If I had got a job in the first week I would not have got the message that it was His doing. I hope that none of you have to learn that lesson the way I did. My Lord came through but I had to go through a lot to get there.
So, you say how did you get back to Him? Through two things, one Christian Counseling, two Celebrate Recovery. I learned that I am codependent, prideful, arrogant and judgmental. My counselor encouraged us to go to Celebrate Recovery and it was a turning point for me. I found my Lord Jesus again and when I did I found the power to live. He gives the Holy Spirit and through Him I have the power to live this Christian life. It is not about the rules it is about the relationship. As long as I remember that I will be okay. Do I do it perfectly? NO!! I still try to push the car sometimes and then I look up and realize what I am doing and I go and get in the passenger side and wait for Him to come and take me where He wants. You see I don't get to drive He does. Funny but when I remember to do these things life becomes much easier. Reminds me of Matthew 11:28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Are you tried, thirsty, angry, resentful? Then why not come to Celebrate Recovery and see if you can find the same thing I did? You see Celebrate Recovery is the means by which you can find Jesus again or for the first time. What have you got to lose? Come Friday night at 6 PM and see what it is all about.
David
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles but misguided men. ”