We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Ryan Grinnell.
Bible Reading:
Esther 8
Word:
“‘You’ll never see the results you want from the work you didn’t do,’ ‘Hustle for that muscle,’ ‘unless you puke, faint, or die…keep going.’” How many times have you heard a similar saying to this, relating to achieving your goals? In nearly every gym around the world there are motivational quotes similar to these to help you focus on what you want to accomplish.
The world tells us that if we want the results, we’ve got to put in the work. When it comes to fitness, that’s 100% accurate. But what about in our spiritual walk? There are so many times I try to apply this principle to my daily walk with Christ. Get up earlier to read and pray, memorize more scripture, talk to God more throughout the day. These things in and of themselves are not bad. They are actually very healthy and quite necessary. But when I set them as things I have to-do in order to become a better Christian, I fall flat every time.
I try to make it happen by my strength rather than relying on the strength God has given me. The truth is God has, through Christ, already taken His signet ring off of his hand and placed it onto ours. He has given us His divine strength, authority, and power in this life. We are filled with the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live life at a level that we could never achieve on our own. I’m not talking about “name it and claim it” authority. I’m talking about the ability to walk in the authority God has given us.
That’s not to say we think of ourselves higher than anyone else. It’s actually quite the opposite. To live a life worthy of the calling of Christ will challenge everything we know of the world and its ways. But as we are led by the Spirit, we learn to humble ourselves, submit to God, and draw near to Him. He will come through for us at every level in every season. Through all the stress and strain in this life, we grow closer to God by acknowledging we aren’t strong enough to do it on our own.
Every season brings new growth and life through trials and testing. Just as Mordecai didn’t do anything to deserve the king’s authority, neither did we. The king chose to honor him. God, our King, chose to honor us. God desires for us as sons and daughters to walk in step with Him daily. While we are on this earth we have to strive to stay healthy and work for our fitness. But remember, God chose you to walk with Him and grow in Him with the strength that comes from Him, not of our own.
Prayer:
Father, as I walk through this life remind me that I cannot do it on my own strength. I have to rest in and rely on Your strength and authority in order to grow. Remind me that you chose me from before the beginning of time. And I am your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Focus on one area that you find yourself trying to do it on your own, but keep failing. Ask God to show you how to leave it in His hands then allow Him to guide you through it.
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