Power Struggle with Jesus
My husband told me the other day that he felt like God was calling him to be an extension of Jesus to the world. I feel like that’s the call to all of us if we are listening close enough, so he and I discussed it a little further. What is an extension? The first thing that came to my mind was a literal extension cord. One that plugs into the wall and provides power to an object. The extension itself does not “do” anything. It’s simply a conduit for power so that another object can do its job. This rubbed me wrong. I didn’t like the idea of the object (say a computer, fan, power tool, anything you can plug in) getting to have all the fun doing things, while the extension cord simply lays on the ground seemingly doing nothing. It harnesses power, but it itself has no power without being plugged in.
At that moment in the conversation, I realized my problem. I wanted to be the extension AND the object being powered. Because If I’m the extension, then Jesus is the object. He is the one who gets things done! But I wanted to be BOTH and get the glory for it! Maybe I should give a real life example to explain what I mean. Let’s see… Okay, I come across a girl in a store and feel like God wants me to go talk to her. After some small talk we somehow transition into talking about Jesus, the Spirit moves, and before you know it, she becomes a Christian! Leaving that powerful encounter I want to be able to say, “Wow, look what I did! I just talked to her and prayed with her and now she’s a new creation!” (2 Cor. 5:17)
But is that really what transpired? On the outside, maybe. But actually, I was merely an extension. Power moved in and through me to convey Jesus’ love that did the real work in her heart.
So really, I had nothing to do with what actually changed her. I just had the privilege of reaching her. I really feel like I’ve struggled with this for so long—because of my stubborn pride. Anything ugly in us is linked to pride by the way (another discussion for another time) but this really was bothering me. Then our conversation took a turn when I felt God interrupt my thoughts.
“You realize neither of you could do anything without the power SOURCE right?”
BOOM. Mic drop. I hadn’t even wanted to THINK about the fact that the extension cord (me) had to be plugged into the wall—the power source (God) in order to be valuable AT ALL. But I felt like God leaned in and continued. “What if the power was shut off? What if the grid exploded and there was no power ANYWHERE? What good would the object or extension cord be then?” I had to admit. Not much good. Of course Jesus said, “I and the Father are One” (John 10:13) So he can essentially still work since He can be directly connected to the power source itself. But me? I am no good without Him. Jesus said it this way,"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. Funny thing about branches. You never see a branch thriving and blooming that is not connected to anything. Nope, once it is disconnected, it withers and dies.
We were made with a purpose in mind. We are meant to EXTEND the power to the world OUTSIDE where power is Rarely Seen! Have you ever been to a big outdoor event? Especially one at night. You are gonna need extension cords! A lot of them!
This all is just a call to remember who you are. Remember who MADE you and with WHAT PURPOSE in mind. What you do is important. But let’s not forget who made it all possible. We are nothing without Him. But WITH HIM there is no limit to what we can do IN HIM!
“Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Tim 1:9
Okay, I think what I’ve written so far could stand on it’s own two feet. So you can quit reading if you want, BUT if you’re like me, you like a well-rounded analogy. So here is the rest of that analogy.
God just blew my mind as I was typing this out. HE is not the grid… the Holy Spirit is! (Yeah, can’t leave Him out!) The Holy Spirit IS the Power God put In the Earth.
GOD is the Maker of ALL things Powerful, so He himself is the source of ALL POWER.
You get me? Like, fire, oil, coal, wind, water, the SUN; all these things are USED to generate power, right? Well, God Himself is the Maker of all of it, but HE Himself is Outside of it; therefore, He is even more powerful than POWER ITSELF!
BAM!
My fingers couldn’t type that fast or hard enough. That is GOOD stuff right there.
Wow. It really brings home that song I learned when I was little, “My God is so BIG, so Strong and so Mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do. My God is so BIG, so Strong and so Mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do—FOR YOU!”
There is NOTHING He cannot do, y’all! We serve a BIG, POWER-FULL God. Wow. Thank you God. Forgive me for belittling You, AND the Holy Spirit!! Help me in my unbelief. Help me remember who I am. I am yours. I was created for your purposes in the Earth. Praise God from Whom all blessings—and power, flow. PRAISE FATHER,SON AND HOLY GHOST! Amennnnnnnnnnn
