Wave Conference Devotional – Day 14

News flash. Our world is full of good, yet limited folks. They’re everywhere.
Maybe you’ve noticed some of these types.
Teachers who are limited in their pursuit to inspire.
Parents who are limited in their dreams of raising perfect children.
Pastors and spiritual leaders who, in spite their best intentions, will sorely disappoint someone sooner or later.
“Hi, my name is Beth, and I am limited.” Admitting is the first step, right? I joke, but I have an understanding for good yet limited folks, because I am one of them.
How about you?

Nonetheless, while we acknowledge our limitations together, we can still resolve to get out of bed tomorrow because we have discovered the unfailing answer to our dilemma. Allow me to remind you that limited people have access to a limitless power. The Holy Spirit is our divine source. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Counselor, our Teacher, our conviction, and our supernatural empowerment. The Spirit of God within us fills in the blanks in the areas where we fall short.

When do we know that the Holy Spirit is filling in the blanks?
Every time we bear good fruit in adverse conditions.
Every time we can still hear the whispers of conviction in the middle of chaos.
Every time we find the courage to declare the Good News with boldness and clarity.
Every time we, as limited people, see the signs and wonders still following us.

In his letter to encourage the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

God is not limited! We may not always feel confident in our ourselves or our abilities, but God knows exactly what He’s doing when He gives us new assignments! And like the good Father that He is, He wants nothing more than to lavish His kids with His limitless resources! He is faithful to provide! He gives us his supernatural power to walk worthy of our calling and fulfill our purpose! And every time God shows up in our inadequacies, that’s when He gets the glory that only He deserves. I know that’s right!

True story: each time I try to lead and love in my own strength, I fall short. However, each time I lead and love while tapping into my inner strength – the power of God within me – I am always amazed by what God and I accomplish together. I don’t know about you, but I want…better yet, I need that power working within me from the time I roll out of bed in the morning, until my last goodnight kiss.

As a pastor, I have disappointed dear friends and then watched them walk away. As a parent, my chin has dropped while observing my children imitate my flawed behavior. As an entrusted teacher of God’s Word, I realize that I may not have the capacity to inspire every person in the audience. That’s when the grace of God comes in. And as I move forward, my strength comes from practicing this – being aware of my limitations, while trusting that the Spirit of God within me has no limitations.
In my weakness, He is strong.
In my failure, His grace is sufficient.
In my bankruptcy, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
In that same letter to the Ephesian church, Paul added this encouragement.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
(That sounds like a limitless resource to me.)
“Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever”! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT)

PRAYER

Dear Father of limitless resources, I’m grateful that You call and equip Your sons and daughters for every good work. Thank You that You faithfully provide limited people with unlimited resources through the empowerment of Your Spirit. As You keep accomplishing infinitely more than we could ask or think, we promise to keep giving You back all the glory. In Jesus’ name…Amen!