Friend, do you have days when you feel powerless?

I was shopping at the mall with my sister several years ago, and I can’t remember if it was one of my kids or one of hers, but we had this stroller and there was this escalator. The sign clearly said no strollers on the escalator, but nobody else seemed to be following this rule. l must confess–this girl is a rule follower. You, too?

So I’m standing there at the bottom of this stairway to heaven (actually, the stairway to the housewares department, which is pretty close to heaven to me), and in my determination to follow the rules and get to housewares, I pick up this stroller and I pick up this child and I’m juggling them both on a moving stairway which seems ten times riskier than breaking a rule.

Sometimes we find ourselves standing at the bottom of the escalator feeling powerless–but we don’t have to stay there. We may need to take risks to get where God is calling us to go.

We Are Not Bound by Rules, We Are Freed by Love

Jesus showed us there are times when love overrides rules, and we have the power to choose what is right. The world tells us we are bound by rules but we know the truth–we are freed by love and blessed by promises.

Photo by Jennifer Regnier on Unsplash

That whole no strollers on the escalator thing was probably warranted, yet some rules seem absolutely ridiculous, like you can’t drive blindfolded in Alabama. Did that really need to be written?

We snicker at the obvious and laugh at the silly, yet there are things–powerful, powerful things– that are so obvious yet far from silly, and for some reason, we miss them entirely. Maybe we just forget what’s true for us.

We also forget how cunning the enemy can be. He twists the truth, trying to make it sound silly, ridiculous even.

Remember the fruit?

A simple yet powerful rule was given: Don’t touch that one tree or eat of its fruit. Yet the enemy twisted the truth and minimized the consequences…

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Perhaps I would have said, no way talking serpent. I’m a rule follower–but perhaps not. We point a finger at Eve yet the fruit of deception can appear sweet and tempting. We allow the enemy to creep in when we are weak. We want what we want, but that first bitter bite, when we choose in our weakness instead of in God’s power, can have lasting consequences.

Friend, the enemy is banking on our weaknesses. He wants us to feel powerless.

But here’s truth–just because we’re tired and just because we may feel powerless at times, friend, we are far from powerless.

The most powerful thing I can say to you right now is please read this…

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:18-20.

Have you heard that before?

Yes, me too. Yet we forget to live it out as though we truly believe it. You know, the whole, “I also pray you will understand the INCREDIBLE GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER FOR US WHO BELIEVE HIM. THIS IS THE SAME MIGHTY POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD…”

Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash

Girlfriend, that is a mind-blowing truth right there. This truth is for you and for me. We have been empowered by God’s same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.

You have been chosen–not because you’re perfect and not because you’re a rule follower, but because He loves you.

He has given you gifts and beloved, you have been called.

You have been called and you have His power within you.

Grasp the power available to you and go change the world just as you were always meant to do. You don’t need anyone’s permission because you already have God’s permission.

Make the powerful choice to live out your call in a powerful way. Love others radically and step out of your doubt and into your calling.

I have a gift for you. My free ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling: Walking Boldly in God’s Plans for Your Life… 

Cover photo by Thiago Matos

Just click on the image or go to this link for your free copy! I would so love to hear if it blesses you.

Blessings of Peace and Joy to you!

Doris