All Used Up

Perhaps you've noticed it in your every day life, perhaps you only notice when things get really tough. It is a regular occurrence for many of us. We get to the end of our rope, out of energy, out of resources. We find ourselves looking dismally into the mirror and finding that there is nothing that we can do to fix things. We realize quickly how limited our resources are, and how little that we can do. This can even lead us to discouragement, frustration and depression. For some this is the darkest hour that life has to offer. For us, as believers, I believe there is another way to describe this moment: the most glorious moments of our lives.

Is this surprising? Are we shocked and disturbed when we come to the end of OUR resources quickly? Should we have expected more out of our own strength? Why should we expect more of ourselves when we know Apostle Paul understood his own limitations: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Are we so much stronger than Paul that we can do on our own what He had to rest in the Lord's strength for? More to the point - are we foolish enough to believe that we are strong enough to do things on our own?

The moment when we have nothing left, we are used up, we are incapable of any more is the moment when we should realize that we are operating from the wrong power source. That is the moment when we cry out in honesty to the Lord and hear his loving reply, that he never intended us to be operating on our own power to begin with. That moment of darkness is the moment that we must turn "...to Him who is able to exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..." (Ephesians 3:20). We don't have to run out of our own steam to rest in Him, it is our choice. Will you choose this day to spin your wheels, and see how much you can do; or will you rely on His resources and see what He will do through you? There is a correct answer. There will be a test.