The other day, amidst taxi mom duties, a song with a familiar tune came on the radio. Strong beat, good lyrics. I turned it up, but returned to my mindless driving, charting the afternoon activities in my head.
Don’t forget to pick up the birthday gift. Make sure kids have their piano books. Be home in time to grab snacks and do a quick change before ballet classes. What am I making for dinner tonight anyway?
Somehow amongst the noise in my head I stopped and listened to the words of that song for just a minute.
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us.
Hold up, what? We interrupt your busy mom moment to remind you of Romans 8:11:
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
I sat there in awe. That’s kind of huge, friends. Seriously huge.
The same power? Really?
I go about my busy day. I have mouths to feed and endless cleaning to do. I have math problems to work through and character training that demands my attention. Your day may look different, but really it’s all the same. We have obligations and responsibilities.
We fight not to be distracted by the internet and Facebook, by our phones and our iPads but what if we kind of missed the whole stinking point?
What does it look like to have the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead living in you? Giving life, to you?
I have more questions than answers for you, friend, but let me tell you what I do know. I’m not exactly nailing it. I’m worried about finances and health issues. I’m concerned I’m failing my kids and wondering why my house is never entirely clean while I live with a watered down and deadened faith. Cozy and comfy, with this weak faith.
How did I even get here? The greatest Source of power and hope is living in me and like a 2 year old trying to dress himself I struggle and fight, frustrated and weary, thinking I can somehow do this on my own, ignoring the very help He has given me.
I’ve shown you this picture before. I laugh and smile at my fiercely independent little boy, but I wonder if I metaphorically live my life the exact same way. No, God, I’m good. I’ll make this work. Somehow. It’s fine, really. Thanks for giving us the Holy Spirit and all but I don’t really mind this hood covering my face. I got this.
I think I’m done with that, friends. I don’t know exactly what it looks like to acknowledge that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is living in me right this very minute, but it makes me tremble inside. I begin to understand what a holy fear looks like, just a little. And I want to go there. I want to live there.
So here is where I begin. These scriptures. I’m writing them in my journal, I’m pinning them up around my house. In my places and spaces. I need the reminder when the 3 year old throws a fit. I need the reminder when I’m tired and don’t feel like making dinner or when I meet a stranger on a plane. This right here is where brave comes from. This power, it’s for real and I want to begin to live, truly live, from that very belief.
1 .2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
3. Ephesians 3:11-12 “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”
4. 2 Corinthians 3: 4-5 “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
5. Hebrews 10: 23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
6. 1 Corinthians 16: 13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
7. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
8. Psalm 138: 3 “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”
9. Isaiah 50:10 “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord.
10. Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Maybe you need the reminder too? Maybe you have a friend that does as well? Print these verses. Write them out. Keep them in your face, on your heart. Share these verse and let’s boldly, bravely live from Truth.
This post is linked up at Grace & Truth.
I am with you, Mama! Christians today need to have a bold faith – I feel like it is such an amazing gift we give to our children when they grow up seeing our faith.
And I can completely relate to having that strong independent child, lol!
It’s a win-win, right? Bold mama and great mentor for our kids at the same time. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by, Ana!
I need to remind myself of this truth all the time. The same power that Jesus has lives in me. I can’t really fully wrap my mind around it. It’s incredible. The verses you have provided are some of my favorites. And the picture of your son…I’m like that too! ; ) What a cute illustration.
Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth last week!
Seriously, I can’t wrap my mind around it either, Dawn! But I’m trying. Every morning I keep reminding myself “oh my goodness, the same power. Let’s do this day!” I can’t think of anything more motivating. 😉
Romans 8:28 is one that i’m always quoting and praying these days…
Thanks for sharing your heart. My prayer this week has been for God to teach me. This morning I turned on the radio, opened your page, and was reading the words of the song at the EXACT time the same song came on the radio. What a blessing!
Kati, thank you for letting God use you to bring what needs to be said. He’s so there for us but we are always trying to make it work in our own strength. Because of the fall of man, we are somewhat programed this way. Its has to become a new life for us… new programing. Leaning on Him to do the work. Waiting for Him to show the way. Trusting that He will do for us again what he has done it the past… bring beauty from our ashes. In the end, this is where we find true life, peace and happiness. Letting go and letting him is the hard part for us. But He will teach us if we ask and
look to him. Thank you for the list of scriptures. I’m going to post them around my house too as reminders for me. I’ll be praying for you and your ministry… that God will continue to use you for His glory. Aunt, Renee
Verse #1 has been my life verse since being in Granger. I love when we find friends in the same place❤️ At our pastor’s getaway we went thru a book “In His Name” and talked about going from the moral to the mystical. Living in the spiritual realm. Living in the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Living beyond our second loves of spouses and children and living in and for our first love. May this be a year of living In His Name because we live In His Power. ❤️
Herminia, I love that! What a challenge. What a call to courage. And what a waste to settle for anything less. Always learning from you on this journey. <3
I LOVE that song. Every time I hear it, it stops me in my tracks and reminds me that I don’t have to do it all, and that the power that lives in me is able to accomplish anything according to His will. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly, Kristen! Each time I hear that song now, I wonder how I could possible sing those words mindlessly. Yet how can I even begin to comprehend that? I’m dedicated to keep trying though.
This is so convicting! In I mean that in a good way! Man, thank you for sharing your heart. I needed this
So good to know I’m not in this alone, Alonda. I know you are digging deep, right where you are, friend.
Oh my goodness, I’m starting to feel like I need to read your posts like they are on speed dial. But I guess that’s your life right now huh? I’ve just started reading 40 days of decrease and I need to stop and wait until 40 days before Easter, it’s really about focusing on each day and what it must have been like for Jesus before he was crucified and what it must have been like for him so that you can really, really celebrate the glory and awe of Easter. At least that’s my take on it. Praying you will be able to slow down your busy mind before Easter this year to grasp the fullness of the glory of this very special day 🙂
I think it’s less busyness and more just awareness. We can forsake busyness and still be completely unaware of the incredible power of a very real God, right? That’s is where I am right now. I want to dig deep and truly understand what that power looks like, because it’s mind-blowing when I really stop and think about it. I haven’t heard of that book though, and I will definitely check it out!
Great list of Scriptures to add to my prayer cards! Thanks!
Fighting for a brave faith right along side you, Kelly! <3