The Spirit … gives us power

NORSK
Like many Christians, I have experienced how real the power of the Spirit is. Yet it is easy to forget the importance of this resource when I live as Jesus’ disciple in the world. In fact, in God’s kingdom no lasting fruit will occur without the presence of God the Holy Spirit.

Some years back some municipalities in Norway had become very wealthy through production of hydro-power. However, rich wants more, so the local politicians decided to take up huge loans with security in future income. The loans were invested in international hedge funds. By doing so, they simultaneously gave away the control of how investments were allocated and spent. They lost huge sums when the financial crisis hit the United States and subsequently the rest of the world in the autumn of 2008. In the sequence of few minutes the former richest municipalities (per capita) in my home-country, had become the poorest.  

During my life I have met many Christians who resemble these hydro-power municipalities. Basically, they are rich in an unlimited resource of always available renewable energy, but they seem to forget it and continue to gamble with the hope of potential proceeds from other sources. Most Christians have not utilized more than a fraction of the potential of the renewable power source the third person in the Godhead represents.

I think that was why it was important for Paul to remind Timothy that:

“the Spirit God gave us … gives us power”
2 Tim 1:7 

Paul wrote much about the power of the Spirit. He reminded the Ephesians about God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe … the power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms”. Ephesians 1:19-20

I do not hesitate to admit that I receive power and inspiration from other sources as well. E.g. I love music and much of the music is inspiring and gives me strength. However, neither music nor anything else, should ever get in the way of Him who creates and sustains all life.

The most important thing a mentor can do, is to remind the disciple on the primary source of all life - the power source is God Himself.
 
'Manna' for today:

The Holy Spirit is the primary power source!