I know, it has been a long, long time since I have done a blog! I have been thinking about writing one recently, and the subject of God's power has come up a lot in my life and I know it is an amazing thing in all believers' lives! Although it may be hard for unbelievers to comprehend because of their worldly view, let's try to discuss it a little bit. I just want to give you some examples of how God's power has been working in my life lately.
In the beginning of summer, I went on a youth beach retreat where we hung out, did Bible lessons and worshiped God. In one of our lessons we were discussing how God calls us (Christians) to celebrate (Deuteronomy 16), reflect (Ezra 6), and unplug (Nehemiah 8). At the end of the trip at the camp fire we had opportunities to share what the trip meant to us, how God was working in our lives etc.. At first I didn't want to share, I was nervous and didn't want to say anything. Again the leaders asked if anyone had anything to say and when it was silent for awhile after a few kids shared we began to do something else. I was disappointed in myself, I had missed two chances to share what I had to say. Finally after a third time the leaders asked again if anyone has something to say and after waiting and waiting I finally spoke up about what was on my mind. I shared how amazing it is how God knows what each and everyone of us needs, how He actually calls us to go on retreats and each one of us can hear one lesson but is so meaningful to us in different ways. After sharing, I felt relieved. Then right away somebody shared after me to "piggy back" off of what I was saying then someone else "piggy backed" off of them and more and more people continued to add on until we had like six people talk about what I had mentioned. I believe that was God's way to comfort me and encourage me and prove that He does know what we need because at that moment having people continue on what I had said, when there was something previously holding me back from sharing, may seem small and silly but It was exactly what I needed to feel confident.
Also, a few weeks back I was at worship band practice one Thursday and after a few minutes of practicing with the worship team, I had a really bad attitude, the songs were difficult, I didn't like them and I did not want to play Sunday morning at all! Later that weekend, I had to babysit my three year old nephew for two days. As cute as he is, by Saturday night, I decided I could not play Sunday morning because I had to get my nephew up (more like him wake me up) and ready for church. Sunday morning came I was tired, grumpy, stressed out and had so much self pity. When the worship team started to sing the songs that I hated so much during practice, ended up being exactly what I needed to hear! Every single word lifted my spirit and actually made me cry because, that my friends, is the power of God!
Some may say those things that work out so perfectly in our lives are coincidence, karma or luck but I know it is the power of God. In Acts 2, when all those people at Pentecost heard their own native language being spoken, they were amazed and wondered how something like that could be possible. In response people told them they had too much wine! Peter assured them it was the power of God. Which brings me to one more example of God's power (there's just so much!). Like I said, I have been thinking about doing a blog about the power of God for awhile. Well, a few weeks ago I had a dream about a verse....Acts 2! I didn't read it until today and again it was exactly what I needed to read when I needed to read it! It was the cherry on top and is what encouraged me to actually write this blog!
Although those events in my life seem small, they mean so much to me because I know God is working in my life. They are not coincidences! It is power, God's glorious, unending power! Whether you are going through tough times in school, financial problems, family problems, or relationship problems, KNOW that God's power is unescapable and greater than anything we face. So I encourage you to stand firm in God's power, do not let anyone come up with an excuse to try to explain how something works out because we know it is all God's power. To God be the Glory!
Feel free to share how God's working in your life, it can be encouraging to others and who knows, someone could "piggy back" off you!