Serving with His Energy
There is no doubt about the fact that God points out certain Bible verses at certain times in our lives. I have used the same yearly Bible for the last several years and so I come across verses that I underlined in time past and perhaps a date next to it. A couple of weeks ago, one of my circled verses JUMPED out at me! It was EXACTLY what I needed!
The verses are Colossians 1:28-29.
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.”
I have come to the conclusion that this is exactly what I am doing…toiling and struggling with all HIS energy that He is powerfully working in me!
Most of you know that I am what you might call, “A Poor Sleeper.” I do not sleep well, yet, 95% of the time, I am full of energy…and I can only assume that it is HIS energy that He is powerfully working in me! Seriously!
Twice in the past year, however, I was so tired that when I got to the nursing home, I set the alarm on my phone and took a 20-minute nap…out like a light! Go figure! I can sleep in my car but not in my bed!
I don’t like insomnia. I pray for healing a lot. I’ve had people praying for me…a lot. I have been prayed over once or twice. Perhaps it’s a My-Grace-Is-Sufficient-for-You situation. I haven’t heard that from the Lord, but it could be. For now, I will keep asking and seeking and knocking!
In the meantime, I have no other explanation than that He is supplying my need for energy!
Making It Through...On His Energy!
We all know the verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And we remember His words: "Without Me you can do nothing."
When we are young--in our 30s, let's say--this is true, but we don't always remember it: but truly, when we get up there in years--let's say the 70s--oh, how we recognize our dependence upon the Lord! Week after week, month after month, we faithfully trudge off to the nursing home or the assisted-living place, sometimes with a bad back or no sleep or without time for lunch and we do what we do. We interact so joyfully with the senior citizens in our "bunch" and do so by the power of God!
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil,struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.”
If you've been doing this nursing home thing for any length of time, then you have tales to tell about how the power of God held you up one Sunday or during one period of your life.