The thoughts weren’t the problem. The words were the problem. I typed out word after word and nothing that I said had power. Sure, the ideas were okay – even good – but the actual words weren’t holding weight. I could not communicate the ideas well. What I wanted was to create an inspirational, truthful piece that would cause others to look at the cross. What I created instead was a mess that needed to be deleted.
This is what happens when I try to create out of nothing. I do not have that power. Even the words that come out of my mouth – or onto a page – are not only from me. God is not the same. He creates without needing words created by others. His thoughts are perfect. And they perfectly executed the beginning of the world.
God alone has the power to create something from nothing. This is evident in the Biblical account of how the world came to be. Genesis 1:3 describes not only what God created but how He created. It says “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” God did not need supplies to make the world. He didn’t have to run to Michael’s or Target to get the tools He needed to create light or animals or man. God simply spoke and it was so. He commands the universe and the universe declares His praise (Romans 1:20). This is a fact that we all know but often forget.
So what are the implications of being reminded of God’s power over creation? It’s a change in perspective and once we know it to be true– it changes the way we live our lives. If we live every second of every day knowing and contemplating the power of our God we would be more able to trust Him fully. After all, if this God that merely speaks and intricate beings are created, cares for us and is for us, what have we to fear? Romans 8:31b-32 lays this out beautifully: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The Lord provides all things according to His will. We know that His will is to prosper us and not to harm us. Therefore
This is the mindset that I pray we live more of our lives in: That the God who creates effortlessly and has all authority on earth and is in heaven has plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He is for us and not against (Romans 8:31). When we realize this truth and live fully in the knowledge of the Lord’s omnipotence (His unrestricted power), we free ourselves up to do the work He has for us.
When we truly believe that the Lord is all-powerful we are able to trust Him because when we are weak He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). When we accept Christ the Holy Spirit dwells within us, that means God, fully powerful, is actively living and working inside of us! This doesn’t make us all-powerful, but it does allow us to do so much more than we could ever dream of accomplishing on our own.
The same powerful God who created the world helps us. We are promised help from Him and via that help, we are able to do so much more than we can on our own. Jen Wilkin describes it beautifully: “His thoughts never wander with fatigue. His arms never grow too weary to support and protect. Our heavenly Father is strong, and perpetually so.” It is a wonderful description of the verse that describes what God’s presence on our lives accomplishes: “When I am weak; then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b). When we are weak on our own, He enables us to be strong. He provides for us with His never-ending power.
So when I can’t find my words, He provides. He gave me a wonderful friend that is willing to make comments and edit and share ideas with me. When I feel completely inept and powerless, He promises that He will use those weaknesses. The Lord works even though I am weak. His strength is not diminished by my inability to do something on my own. He equips and enables so that He may be glorified.
Soli Deo Gloria.
If you were more conscious of the Lord’s power, how would your life look different? How could you set yourself up to be more aware of the Lord’s power?
Rooted and Redeemed 