Empowered!

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose--I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] PHILIPPIANS 4:13 AMP

When I ponder on my life and consider my 'achievements', what are the thoughts that fill my heart? Do I convince myself that I made it on my own? Do I ever think I could have done anything to guarantee the success I see? Paul establishes a truth we will do well to heed, and it is that all things are made possible by the One who gives the power to succeed. The Oxford Living Dictionary defines empowerment as: "authority or power given to someone to do something".That is the life behind today's extract.

There is One who has the authority and the power. He is the same One who gives the authority and power as he deems fit, and for specific assignments. When I am tempted to think I am God's answer to all the world's questions, I am reminded that I can only do what God has provided authority and power to me to do. When I think that I can be of help to the entire world at the same time, I am reminded that I am only truly fulfilled when I am working hard at the things God himself has ordained for me. That is why my self - sufficiency is tied to God's sufficiency, and has nothing to do with me. Whatever he commissions me to do, he provides authority and power to achieve it.

When the assignment comes, I remind myself that it is God's assignment, not mine, so the resources required will be provided by Him, not me. I can only make myself available and ready for whenever or however he may lead. Whatever God ordains, he sustains, and when i heed his call, and obey his leading, success is guaranteed. Success here is not as the world defines it, but as God defines it. Nowhere does GOD guarantee a smooth run, but he guarantees his Presence and Power all through. That's good enough for me. His time of favour is here.