4:6 – How Will You Use Your Power

#faithbites #faithjourney power

Setting

Good Afternoon, all. Yesterday we talked about being powerful and how our power comes from God. Today’s question or topic is now that you know you are powerful, how will you use your power?

I have been watching Lovecraft Country on HBO. This series is set in the 1950s and deals with racism, it’s a primarily African-American cast and monsters. I guess you could say there are human monsters and supernatural ones. The primary characters are attacked and vilified just for being African-American. The white supporting cast, at least so far, is pretty evil and no one stands up for them. I wonder what I would do in that situation. Anyway, I digress.

We know that power comes from God and comes in many different forms. How do we use it? What specific actions can we take to make the world a better place? I know that may sound naïve or trite, but we can make a difference. The question is how.

Scripture

• Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
• Mark 16:15- And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Reflection

Are you using your power or letting it sit on a hill hidden from all? You don’t want to be saltless salt. God wants us to proclaim his word, to help the poor, the tired, the meek, and all of his children. We can’t do that if we just sit and read his word or if we just got to church and speak with the same people. God wants us to be active in the lives of our community and our world. This can be on a small scale, like a one on one conversation, or a larger scale such as leading a group or a community. There is no limit to what we can do with our power if we invoke the name of God.

The challenge for us is to go out and do something. Maybe it’s being a guest on a new podcast series called Faithbites Fireside: Your story (hint hint wink wink), or volunteer at a community organization, or even to reach out to a friend.

Remember, power doesn’t mean domineering or taking over, but rather having the strength to make a change in God’s name. So I’ll close with, now that you are powerful in God, how are you going to use it?

Challenge

What is one specific thing that we can follow up with you on that shows you using God’s power? Are you willing to step up to the challenge and try something new?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you tell us that nothing is impossible with you. You tell us that we have your power to go out and make disciples of all nations. We ask that you guide our hearts and turn us into people of action. Let us not waste what you have blessed us with. Lord, some of us don’t even know where to start. We ask that you open our ears to listen, our minds to understand, our hearts to know this is the truth, and our hands to take action. We pray this in your name, Amen.