Have you ever paused to understand the source of your power and strength? At an early age, we develop an understanding of power from watching cartoons and our favorite superheroes. As adults, we experience power being used in ways once thought never possible. From EV vehicles to political strongholds, the quest for more power is still very much alive. The world has forever studied how to get more of it, how to control it, and how to use it in different ways. Power has become an essential element of the world we live in. It seems whoever has obtained the most of it has a distinct advantage in life. However, the single most important thing to understand is the source of power.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” If we were to take a snapshot of our life, we would see things in three dimensions: our past, which is likely filled with a mixture of mistakes, struggles, successes, and joys; our future, which is often filled with some uncertainty; and finally, the present day, in which we can find ourselves in a healthy or a troubled state of mind. The quote focuses on our present condition. After all, it is our current state of mind that helps us focus on the days ahead rather than the mistakes and challenges of the past. We can’t change the past, but we can certainly influence the future. For this reason, we can all benefit from tapping into the right source of power that pushes us through the tough times and helps us enjoy the good ones.
Last month, we celebrated the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – certainly, the most powerful event in history. In a letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21 NLT. The passage makes it clear that those who believe in Christ Jesus have access to the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and placed him above everything else in this world. I couldn’t help but think of the old saying that “it is all about who you know.” It is motivating to be reminded that we can have access to the greatest power that has or will ever exist. When you have access to this kind of power, it removes limitations, changes lives, and creates a powerful conduit of influence, but the good news does not stop there. Later in Ephesians 3:20 it reads, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” It is overwhelming to understand that God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we can even think. These passages bring a new perspective to Mr. Emerson’s quote. Everything would certainly pale in comparison to the power that lies inside of those who believe in Christ Jesus.