Don't you wish you could be like Paul? Well, my husband wouldn't. His determination, perseverance, strength, go-to-it-iveness are all traits I wish I had more of. He is so forceful in his faith and trust in the Risen Savior. I read a verse in Colossians where Paul writes "To this end I [Paul] labor, struggling with all his [Christ's] energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Col 1:29)
I think that Christ wants to assist us in any way possible to do the work God has for us to do. I don't think Christ's only desire is for our personal salvation, or our personal peace. I think He wants and expects us to reach out to others so they will experience personal salvation and peace. He also knows personally how tiring it is to do that job, the job of calling people, of witnessing to people, of serving people. Jesus prayed frequently. I can only imagine that energy was part of the prayer request.
Dear Jesus, I pray for Your energy to work in me both for the exhausting job of self examination and surrender but also for the job to make disciples for You of those around me. I pray that You sustain me where I am to be and release me to tiredness where I am not supposed to be. In this way, I'll be assured of doing Your work. Thank You so much for supplying the energy to get the job done. In Your name and for Your sake I ask this. Amen.
I actually never thought of it before. But now that I am, I wish I felt Christ's energy. I've never prayed for Christ's energy. I have prayed for strength, courage, and peace. I've prayed to not be lazy and for the want to do service or whatever is asked of me. But I've never prayed for energy, let alone Christ's energy. I know I don't have it.
I found this image on the Internet images of renewable energy. It leaves out the most obvious and faithful source of energy. Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, God. I also found several images saying "SAVING ENERGY" or similar thoughts. I don't think this goes with Paul's notion at all. I think Paul's idea is to spend as much energy as possible to bring people to Christ and salvation. I think Christ's energy is a renewing energy that is multiplied as it is exerted. The more energy we expend in God's name, for mission and ministry and service ordained by God, the more energy we get.I think that Christ wants to assist us in any way possible to do the work God has for us to do. I don't think Christ's only desire is for our personal salvation, or our personal peace. I think He wants and expects us to reach out to others so they will experience personal salvation and peace. He also knows personally how tiring it is to do that job, the job of calling people, of witnessing to people, of serving people. Jesus prayed frequently. I can only imagine that energy was part of the prayer request.
Dear Jesus, I pray for Your energy to work in me both for the exhausting job of self examination and surrender but also for the job to make disciples for You of those around me. I pray that You sustain me where I am to be and release me to tiredness where I am not supposed to be. In this way, I'll be assured of doing Your work. Thank You so much for supplying the energy to get the job done. In Your name and for Your sake I ask this. Amen.
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