Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
As we have studied 1 John on Sunday mornings we have learned that we are called to love one another. John says this over and over again. However there are some times when this is a difficult thing to do and the only way we will fulfill God’s plan for our life is to rely on God’s strength. And that means you have to understand the things that ‘I can’t do’ before you can agree what ‘God can do.’
If we don’t take this first step then we will just keep thinking there’s still some person, book or infomercial that will provide the wisdom or strength we need – independent of God – to do the things He expects of us.
We will continue to believe, and I believe wrongly, that we can do some things, perhaps all things, apart from God. We’ll keep applying what I have referred to as “pretzel logic.” This is when we believe we can make decisions disconnected from God that somehow keep us connected to God’s plans for us.
And when we make choices disconnected and independent from God, there is little difference between the way we live our lives and the way non-believers live their lives.
“But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT)
We have been promised that we can have the Holy Spirit inside us. The Holy Spirit reveals things to us that can’t be revealed to those that are not in a relationship with God. You have the ability to understand when God is telling us to take steps toward His plan for your life. Ask Him to teach you to hear his “still small voice” and to help you take the steps he tells you to take. Then, look for the ways He guides you through the decisions and details of your life.
Begin by acknowledging the areas of your life that you “Can’t do” for yourself. After that for the next few days, keep a list of all the times you sense God giving you direction. This will help you to see that he is at work in your life and that he has a constant interest in the details of your life.
“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.” Philippians 2:13 –The Living Bible
