Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today…..
Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence. He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life.
Observation
Weakness embraced is strength released. In a world that tells me it’s up to me, God comes and invites me to descend into weakness that He might raise me in His strength. “We don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength”, what an amazing position to live from. What a completely opposite stance to the world. It’s only when I embrace weakness that I look outside myself.
The new covenant, of relationship with God established in Jesus, is not law based, it’s the intimacy of following the Spirit. Competence ‘flows’ from relationship not from observance of the letter. Letter looks to me and says fulfil. Jesus invites me to look to him and be amazed. “Our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence,” I am competent in all circumstances of life for the empowering presence of God enables my competency. This is a radical view of life!
Life’s story is written in the overflow of my choices. We all want a better life, this is universal, we were all created with an insatiable desire for life, it’s God’s gift to us. But he invites me to find the strength for life and the path for life in Him. I race off in my strength and pick up useless trinkets that promise life only to disappoint. They are like a beautifully wrapped gift that promises so much but contains an empty box. They are empty promises of life. There is only one way to find life and that is to follow the Spirit, for “the Spirit pours out life.”
Application
The what to do is obvious, why do I make the decision to do so complicated? Have I learnt the mantra of “my way,” so foolishly and wholeheartedly that I don’t trust the Spirit? Self sit, you have been found to be incompetent. “True competence flows from God’s empowering presence,” this is the new mantra for my life, rise and walk in it!
Response
Thank you that you abolished the letter as a competent means of life. Thank you that you give me you as the way to life. You don’t only rescue me from darkness you enable me to walk in the life of your light. You save and you go on saving me, competent in you for life in you. This is a brilliant story. I am blessed!!
Meditation
Spend some time in meditation. Let go of self competence and trust in the Spirit.
JOURNEY DEEPER
