What power do you use for living your life? Do you trust the power of coffee or energy drinks to pick you up or is your secret strength based on chocolate? Or maybe you rely on pure stubbornness? Managing your life is not a bad thing, and how could it be, right? But when we force ourselves to continue beyond exhaustion, we are not doing ourselves any favors. May I remind you of the heavenly power at work in all who believe in Jesus? Use the power you have received! Just like faith, it is God’s gift for his children.

“Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49, AMP, emphasis added)

Here Jesus promised his followers to become fully equipped with power from on high. This was not just meant for the disciples, but for all who follow Jesus. We have not been left to manage on our own devices but by the power of God. And that does change everything.

Because we are unable to continue on our strength. We are exhausted already in the morning. How then do we manage the rest of the day? If we somehow manage to handle our day-to-day operations, where do we get the energy to follow wherever Jesus leads us? And why do we even try to manage on our own if we are offered divine power to what nothing compares?

This divine power, the Holy Spirit, can help us in every way and every situation. And this is not some sort of brute force, this is gentle, encouraging strength that equips us to deal with life as it comes. It doesn’t take away the hardships but empowers us to live through them victoriously.

Use the power you have received!

Our problem is not that we would be under-equipped or lacking divine power. Just like faith, divine power is a gift from God. Our problem is the under-utilization of divine power. We refuse the divine power, maybe because we are unaware or too stubborn to admit our need. No matter what our reason for refusing it is, it does not pay off.

So remind yourself each morning of God’s love and resurrection power. Use the power you have received! You’re not a better Christian if you do not use God’s power. Maybe the opposite. Because when we use it, we remain in God’s presence and that’s what God wants from us. That we would stay close to him. And, with God, we get so much more done, without dying from exhaustion.

The yoke Jesus gives us is light to bear because he equips us with his divine power. So let’s receive God’s gifts – both salvation and empowerment – with thanks. Then we get to walk lightly and we will make it home to heaven, not by our merit but by the merit of Christ and by his power.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We surrender to you and thank you for saving and empowering us.
Without you, we would not make it
but how wonderful it is that we don’t need to manage with our meager strength
because you equip and empower us.
Show us how to use your power according to your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

P.S.

How is it? Do you use the power you have received? I hope so! Otherwise, the Christian journey is too heavy. But in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can walk lightly and worry-free. Be blessed, my friend! God loves you, saves you, and equips you with everything you need to get home. Use the power you have received and you will realize God knows what he is doing.