After a physically exhausting day with children or an emotionally exhausting day on the job, I often find myself craving power. I search the Scripture and pray that I, like Paul, will be “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).
Yep. That would just fit the bill for my needs today. Lots of power in God-sized qualities.
But then the Father urges me to re-examine, so that He may keep revealing. “Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.”
I hear His still, small voice: “There are occasions, Kandy, when you will need a mighty surge of supernatural power to achieve a great feat of strength. But most of the time, you are most in need of my power for the acquisition of all faithfulness and fortitude. That’s really where your weakness lies.”
How true. More than power to complete my tasks in record speed, I need the strength to endure a monotonous day with grace. More than energy to keep going until two in the morning, I need the ability to endure long, plodding days without complaining.
What an insight. The Lord is more interested in giving me energy to say “No!” to the thoughts of the evil one than to grant all my healing prayers answered. He knows that giving me power for miracles will just inflate my image of myself.
“Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My Hand,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 18:6). Sometimes His fingerprints come in the form of great fruit bearing and joy. Sometimes, they will seem quite painful and without purpose. Either way, He will “accomplish what concerns me” (Psalm 138:8). My best reaction is with unwavering conviction of His Love for me. I must hold fast with certainty that He will not forsake the clay that lies in His Hands.
The strength He gives most is the strength to wait. In season and out of season He desires my trust. In forming me into the image of His Son, He is molding a person who can endure. Whether the endurance means the fog of the unknown, the indecision or unfairness of others, the lack of fulfilling ministry, or the existence of crippling emotions. He doesn’t remove the world, but reveals that I can be a conquerer while still living here (Romans 8:37).
May it be, Lord. May it be.