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“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13
A few times every year an event happens that excites every true sports fan. During this event, they may sit glued to their screens in anxious anticipation. Some will leave angry or disappointed. Some will leave excited. All will leave hopeful. This strange event I’m talking about isn’t a football game or baseball game or a hockey game. No one is dressed in team uniforms. There are no officials. If you haven’t figured it out yet, what I’m talking about is the draft. By design, the draft is created to allow teams to add to their rosters players that will best suit their needs. Teams that have bad records get the first choices, teams that have good records get the last choices, unless of course there are trades.
But this devotional isn’t about the draft or athletes. It’s about potential. You see players are drafted with hopes that they will live up to their potential. Sometimes players who are expected to do well, do poorly. Sometimes players who are expected to be average, become superstars. The difference is potential over actual.
In the Christian life it’s no different really. We all have a tremendous amount of potential. Not because of our own abilities, but because of the driving force behind our potential. The difference is that we have God on our side. In fact, the very Spirit of God dwells in us. Think about it. The same power that created the world; the same power that erased Jesus from the dead, lives in you as a Christ-follower.
If we follow him he’ll help us to reach our best potential possible. Relying on him for our strength and our direction will help us each to be a superstar in his eyes. And that’s all that really counts. Potential over actual. God is the difference between being average and reaching your potential. In Jesus you can rise above mediocrity and be awesome.
“We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.” Psalms 123:2
Our family loves to camp. When our youngest was very young she was very afraid of the dark so she would sleep with her mom. As long as she was touching her mom she was fine, but if mom made the slightest move it would not be long before a hand or a foot would be touching her. As long as she could touch her mom, she had nothing to worry about. She needed that constant affirmation that mom was there to protect her.
In the same way, we as believers in the Lord God of heaven need constant reminders of his love and mercy. The writer of this song, reminds us of how important it is to always remember that God is near. His mercy is never more than a touch away.
Sometimes that’s easy to forget. Life gets hard. Relationships fail. Our bodies grow old..Voices scream at us with doubts about his presence, his wisdom or even if he cares about what we are going through.
A good servant, knows his master. When life circumstances attack, the trusting servant doesn’t look at the problem. He looks st his master. If the master doesn’t seem concerned, the servant is at peace. He’s ‘in touch’ with the master and things will be okay.
On the other hand, if the master seems alarmed, the servant will also be concerned and spring into action..
The psalmist reminds us to keep our focus off of life circumstances and on the Father. We know his mercy is available. We know his grace is plentiful..we know his power and wisdom are unmatched. Our God is merciful in the big things and the little things. Don’t miss them! Stay in touch. Watch for the sign.
““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1
It’s no secret at all that we live in difficult times. Fear, anger, hatred, and discouragement seem rampant. I remember rowing a boat across my grandfathers small lake. It would take a few t red hours to get from one end of the lake back to his cabin. By the time you got close to the end your arms and legs were aching. But I remember looking over my shoulder and seeing the dock getting closer and realizing I could make it!
It is much easier to get through the difficult times when you see the end in sight. And for us as believers to know who’s waiting for us on the other side makes it even easier. Someone once said, nothing worth attaining issue gotten without pain.
When you’re in a tunnel it’s dark and scary. But when you see the light at the end you realize you’re going to make it through.
That’s the way it is when we follow Christ. There will be dark times there will be rough seas there will be rocky trails. But we know who waits for us at the end and when we get there this will all be worth it.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 