The Bible speaks of the difference between natural abilities and supernatural abilities. Jeremiah said that blessed is the person who has put their trust in the Lord, who relies totally on the Lord for all they need. Whatever happens, they will be ready. Whatever is asked of them they will be equipped. Nothing will shake them off their foundation of faith in God.

What is your source? What is my source? Where do we get our abilities to deal with life?

Natural resources, trusting in human abilities

Oh, we might have abilities of our own to deal with life, but they aren’t sourced from Him. They are not spiritual. They depend on our natural strengths and abilities, and that can be a problem. What happens when:

• We don’t feel like it? 
• We are tired? 
• We are taken for granted?
• We have no more to give? 
• We start to be critical, gripe, or complain?

That is when we see the worth of our natural abilities. They are limited. Do you ever wish someone would step into your life and live it for you so you can just rest, or so it can be done right?

Supernatural resources, allowing Jesus to live through us

If we are connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, then we receive all the sap we need for life and growth. It is His abilities. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Not our fruit. That takes a load off us, doesn’t it? Sounds good to me.

Does the branch struggle to grow? No, it simply stays connected to the vine. That is how it produces fruit. What is asked of us? Abide in the vine. Jesus said He was the vine. He also said we could do nothing without Him. 

Why not step aside (inside) and allow Jesus Christ the freedom to live His life through us? That is what He wants to do. We think that we are somehow to do it (with His help, of course.) But, only He can live the Christian life. Romans 5:10 Only He can produce fruit pleasing to God. How would He handle our situations if we let Him? 

Are you one of us who think we can handle it with His help? He doesn’t want to be relegated to a helper. He wants to live through us. Next time you are in a stressful situation, try stepping aside to allow Him the room to live for you. Remember what Paul said in Galatians 2:20? It is no longer I that lives but Christ lives in me. He meant it.

Jesus is the only one who can live the Christian life. We can attempt. And some do fairly well using their natural abilities. However, it is worth nothing in the spiritual realm. Jesus said that we could do nothing without Him. Again, He meant it. Do we believe it?

Let’s accept the truth. Let’s relinquish our doings, our abilities. Let’s allow Him the right to live His life through us and watch the stress level go down in our everyday lives.

Words to light your path

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ESV

John 15:4,5  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ESV

Jeremiah 17:7-8  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

For more on this

Dependency on Christ – A Relaxed Life

Identified or Simply Interested?

Get Moving

Christ Who Is Our Life!

Prayer – O Lord, If only we would see that it is You who wants to live Your life through us. It would solve so many problems. It would bring us relief and peace. And, of course, You would get all the credit(glory). It is a win-win solution. Remind me not to trust in my limited abilities but to trust in Your unlimited abilities and love.  Amen