Working versus Striving

"So he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.'"  Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know whether we have achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit versus our own abilities? And in there lies the difference. When we commit our talents and abilities to God and we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields and it can become a testimony to seeing God's power manifested in our work. If on the other hand we are trying to perform based on our own abilities without committing it to God’s supernatural, then we trust the natural. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.

Probably the greatest word of advice I can give is, “Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing." We need to learn the balance of skill and walking with God. Our father God’s desire to bless us and increase us is a testimony of who He is. Imagine taking the skills you have and placing them in God’s hands at the beginning of your day; then do your part and watch God honor His word.

Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your spiritual, personal and business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit. “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

Prayer: God, I believe You are using circumstances and events to move me into a place of patient waiting as You put me in the place You desire for me. Help my soul to mature, my faith to grow, my life to be more pure and dedicated to You. James 1:2-4 tells me, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Lord, I praise You in the midst of it all--my special trials and daily challenges--knowing that I must learn to be patient and content as I wait upon You. Thank You for being with me through every trial, every day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

 

Blessings,