Limiting God’s Power in our LIves

Are we limiting God’s power with our excuses like, “I can’t do that? I’m not that kind of person.” Do we hide behind who we are, or how we see ourselves? Do we realize that we are limiting God’s power in our lives?

Recently, I was asked to speak on a Sunday morning at my church. Me? Yes, me. My first thought was God was changing me so I could do this. Then, the second thoughts came like: I don’t do public speaking, I will be nervous, etc. But, I knew God was changing me and I didn’t want to refuse.

Are we hiding so we don’t have to do what is asked of us? Hiding so people won’t ask of us something we don’t want to do? Excusing ourselves, “That’s not who I am. Ask someone else.”

Do we offer the following excuses:

• God knows what I’m like
• I’m unstable, emotional, loud, quiet, shy,
• That’s just who I am
• If people don’t like me, then it is too bad
• I can’t help being who I am
• That’s just how I dress

Apostle Paul told the members of the church at Corinth “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.”

Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” NKJV

Are we allowing God to change us into the image of His Son, or do we refuse to change by not allowing God to transform us and refuse to be conformed to the image of Jesus? In the Bible, we are told that God is the potter and we are the clay. Let’s allow Him to mold us however He wants. Let’s be pliable in His hands.

2 Cor. 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” NKJV  Are we allowing this transformation?

Maybe God wants us to dress differently, talk differently, or act differently. Sometimes we don’t want to obey. We want to stay the same. It is uncomfortable to step outside our comfort zone.

We might find ourselves in new situations, new places, and new experiences. Our natural person likes the familiar.

Let’s not limit God’s power

As we walk with God, holding tightly to Him, He might take us into new experiences. He has plans for each of our lives, to use us to expand His kingdom. Do we ruin His plans by refusing to change? Do we limit how He can use us by hiding behind our personality traits? 

Not only do we hinder God’s plans for our lives, but we also lose out on the abundant life Jesus promised. Let’s give Him permission to carry out His plans through our lives, to live through us.

Jesus Christ chose to lay down His life every day He was on earth, not just the day of His crucifixion. He asks the same of us. He wants us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. What an adventure! What an experience watching ourselves being transformed into His image! How exciting to be molded into a vessel He can use each day as He wishes!

Words to light your path –

2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.”

How did that Sunday morning go for me? It was totally amazing! I was at ease and spoke for about 30 minutes sharing what God had done for me and what I knew He could do in the life of anyone who would surrender his/her life to Him.

Father in Heaven, may we trust You so much that we submit to Your transforming power, allowing You to make us into whatever is Your desire. You are our potter, and we are Your clay. We want to hear those words, “Well done, faithful servant.”

Enjoy this version of “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” by the Blind Boys of Alabama.