The apostle Paul told us that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

I like it when I can just do stuff. I guess I’m a pretty typical guy in this respect. I don’t necessarily like to ask for help. I enjoy understanding how to do something and do it well. I tend to get very frustrated when I don’t know what to do. 

Yesterday in our medical clinic I felt very frustrated. I don’t know medicine and I don’t know Spanish but I happen to be on a medical mission trip in Nicaragua! I really was struggling to figure out my place in what we were doing. 

I like having God with me but I don’t like needing him. I prefer him to be plan B but not plan A. I tend to exhaust all my mental energy and then when all else fails…time to pray. I don’t believe that this is how God wants us to roll. Jesus instructs us to ask God for our daily bread in the Lord’s prayer. He wants us to trust him and not ourselves for provision. I heard a pastor say that “everyone wants a miracle but nobody wants to be in a place to receive one.” I find that to be very true.

The problem with how we tend to operate is that God is the one who ultimately deserves the glory and not us. He likes to show off in our lives so that others will come to know him through us. This means that he may and probably will choose to lead you into contexts where you need a miracle. This is hard in the moment but beneficial in the big picture. Where do you need a miracle? Have you been trusting God as a backup plan or as your number one place to go? Maybe it’s time to do a little less strategizing and worrying. It may be time to put your trust completely in God because “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” It’s not about just saying we trust God but actually leaning on his power and love to do in our lives what we cannot do on our own.