When an Unexpected Advantage Reveals a Spiritual Truth
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to play a game of soccer. Unlike many Americans, I have developed a deep love for this sport and have experienced moments of exceptional skill on the field. In fact, I can boast about scoring goals on three different continents, a testament to my passion for the game. However, I must admit that most of those “glory days” are behind me now. Yet, during this weekend’s match, all those memories came rushing back, reigniting my love for the sport.
While competing against men who were 10 to 15 years younger than me, I found myself maneuvering around them with unexpected ease. While several on the field were international who clearly had a deeper passion for soccer, I surprisingly outscored all of them combined.
I should also mention that I was the only player wearing cleats, while the grass was damp from recent rain. This gave me a notable advantage over the others. Even with this unfair edge, the feeling of triumph after scoring was exhilarating and made me feel like a star.
The truth is, I believe that the Christian life should embody a similar advantage. As believers, we possess a unique empowerment that should enable us to navigate life with remarkable efficacy. With the living God residing within us and the mind of Christ guiding our thoughts, we have every reason to expect that we can excel and even “run circles” around the challenges we face and the people we compete against. So why, then, are we not dominating in our spheres of influence?
Why Christians Should Expect to Live With Supernatural Effectiveness
Have you ever pondered whether God has greater plans for us, plans that we are not fully engaging with? Given the multitude of resources at our disposal, why can’t we achieve unprecedented success in our lives?
The stories of Jonathan, Gideon, Moses, Jacob, and Elijah illustrate remarkable feats accomplished with seemingly limited means. Jonathan climbs the enemy’s encampment with just his armor bearer and turned the war for Israel (1 Samuel 14:13). Gideon blows a few horns and the enemy runs away scared (Judges 7:22). Moses throws some wood in bitter water to make it drinkable (Exodus 15:25). Jacob has his livestock drink water with strips of bark in it to make them have spotted babies (Genesis 30:37-39). Elijah lays on a dead boy and he comes back to life (2 Kings 4:32-35). Each of these stories serves as a reminder of the extraordinary outcomes that faith can yield.
I believe we need to start anticipating God to show us impossibilities to overcome. While coasting through life in a state of comfort may provide temporary satisfaction, it does not advance God’s kingdom or fulfill our potential. I encourage you to ask God about the impossibilities He desires for you to confront and overcome. Embracing this mindset can lead to position us to see God’s hand miraculously move for our good.
Today I have the exciting opportunity of partnering with God. As I rely on His wisdom and power, I will succeed at everything God gives me. I can’t wait to see what happens today! Nothing is impossible!
Great post and reminder. I think as we get closer to God, He shows us more and more of our purpose and how to accoplish it.
Dan, thanks. It is all about partnership.
Great post. Thank you. Good reminder that He can do far more than we can ask or imagine and that we need to raise our expectation! Thanks
Guy, thanks for the encouragement.
Hi K,
You know, I was listening to a podcast today on this subject and felt so challenged. They mentioned that bible verse where we’re told we can expect to do even greater things than were performed by Jesus whilst on earth and I always struggled with that (still do) because I try to imagine being used to raise someone from the dead or cast out a demon or used to heal someone.
But one thing from the podcast stood out for me. That was that if we will step out of our comfort zone, if we will trust God with impossibilities, He will reward our faith.
Now I still wonder if I’m likely to do any of the things mentioned above. But how about I start to push myself beyond my current comfort levels? Begin to step out and do something new?
What a challenge.
Dear Caroline,
Yes! I’ve heard of faith being spelled, “r-i-s-k.” If we are going to walk by faith and not by sight, then oftentimes our steps will take us places that our eyes would advise otherwise. Just as it effort to learn a new skill, you may fail at first. Don’t let that discourage you. Your practice will lead to competency at living out the statements of Christ over what you previously thought was possible. You’re correct in saying it is a challenge, but that’s what makes the Christian life adventurous and supernatural. Awesome!
Blessings,
Kevin
Caroline shared a post on the Prayer Coach blog: Improve Your Prayer Life – Talk Less; Listen More.