Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for May 4, 2008
PERSONAL POWERLESSNESS
Today we are going to talk about Personal Powerlessness. This has been a big step for me personally. I was raised to always know and always be able to do anything. It is hard for a lot of us to admit personal powerlessness. So we are going to talk about this today; what it is and how we get there.
This follows closely on what we talked about last week and the week before, God's Will and God First. But now we bring it down to a very personal level. Now we bring it down to spiritual honesty; because, in Truth, we were never in charge in the first place. What makes us think that we were? How vain it is of us to think we can turn it over to God - like he wasn't in charge in the first place. "Here God, I'm going to turn this thing over to you."
In Truth, the only power in this Universe is God. We, as humans, are powerless over others, things, weather, and our environment. Can you personally change the wars that are now going on? Can you change the weather today? It is only the power of God within us that has any control at all.
JABEZ
One example in the Bible of admitting powerlessness is the very short story of Jabez. It is found in the book of Chronicles. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) "Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!" And God granted what he asked."
Jabez wanted to be more than just a pain. But he didn't say, "I am going to rise above this, I am going to be more, I am going to do more." So, what exactly did Jabez do to rise above the rest? Why did God answer his prayer?
Jabez had a desire to reach for a life that was more honorable through God. He wanted spiritual honesty in his life. He wanted nothing but God's fullest blessing. And, he was willing to ask.
So we can continue to control our lives from a human standpoint (or think we can) - or we can jump into the river of life that is God. We can admit and accept personal powerlessness and let the loving currents of God's grace and power carry us along. We can let God's plan for us surround us and sweep us forward into the fulfilling life He has waiting.
BLESS ME INDEED!
Jabez said to God, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed!" In other words, "I am named pain and I am powerless to change that, but, only you God can change who I am."
Jabez had grown up hearing about the God of Israel who had freed his ancestors from slavery, rescued them from powerful enemies, and established them in a land of plenty. Jabez's main enemy was himself; a self-definition that said he was a pain. He was enslaved to that self-definition. He knew that he couldn't change that, but he believed in a God of miracles and new beginnings. So he asked.
When we ask for God's blessing, we're not asking for more of what we could already get for ourselves. We are crying out for the wonderful, unlimited goodness that only God has the power to know about or give to us. (Proverbs 10:22) "The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it! "
So Jabez asked for a blessing, but left it entirely up to God to decide what the blessings would be and where, when, and how he would receive them. He was asking for God's will to be done in his life. He was surrendering.
When we admit and accept that we are powerless we are throwing ourselves entirely into the river of His will and power and purposes for us. We become wholly immersed in what God is trying to do in us, through us, and around us for the highest good. God's power to accomplish great things suddenly finds no obstruction in you. You're moving in His direction. You're praying for exactly what God desires. Suddenly the unhindered forces of heaven can begin to accomplish God's perfect will - through you.
EXPAND MY BORDERS
Jabez said to God, "Oh, that you would enlarge my territory!" He was asking God to enlarge his life so that he could make a greater impact. He wanted more influence, more responsibility, and more opportunity to serve God. He wanted plenty of room to grow spiritually.
When we ask God to give us more, amazing things happen. As our opportunities expand, our ability and resources increase too. God never leaves us hanging without help.
There is an opportunity coming up in June at which you might want to take a look. We are asking people of our congregation to prayerfully consider becoming a Prayer Chaplain. It is a service opportunity for those of you who are truly looking to take the next step in the development of your spiritual maturity and level of commitment in your spiritual growth.
For most of us our reluctance to commit comes from being taught the wrong arithmetic in our lives. We seem to have an equation in our heads that goes something like this: My abilities + my experience + my training + my personality and appearance + my past + the expectations of others = my assigned territory.
But we've got the math all wrong. How many times have you heard me say that God works through us. And yet, we still try to control our lives and want God to work beside us or in association with us. Yet, it says in (Zechariah 4:6) "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
When we admit and accept our own powerlessness God works through us in a supernatural way. He's just waiting for us to get our little selves out of the way and for us to invite Him in. So God's math looks something like this: My willingness and powerlessness + God's will and supernatural power = my expanding territory. You can trust God that He will never give you more than you can handle with his help. When you surrender you will experience the tremendous thrill of God carrying you along in your life.
When we only rely on our own strength and only take little steps in our lives, we don't need God. But, when we thrust ourselves in the mainstream of God's plans for us - which are beyond our ability to accomplish - we release miracles. At that moment, heaven sends angels, resources, strength, and all the people you need.
LET YOUR HAND BE WITH ME
Jabez said to God, "Oh, that Your hand would be with me!" So once you have asked for your borders to be expanded, once you've gone over the edge and gotten in too deep; you come up smack against the cold stone of reality. You are unable to hold on to the life you reached for… Having dared to ask for more, some people falter at this point in their spiritual transformation. They've received blessings on a scale they hadn't imagined possible. They've seen God stretch the limits of their influence and opportunities. But suddenly the rush of wind under your wings stops and you start to plummet. And so we go into fear and back off. But the feeling we are running from is called dependence. It means that we are walking with Jesus. Actually, the second we are not feeling dependent on God is the second we've backed away from truly living by faith.
There is a wonderful story I'd like you to hear. It's in (Matthew 14:25-31) Early in the morning Jesus came walking toward the disciples on the sea. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
It's a frightening truth. As God's chosen, blessed sons and daughters, we are expected to attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed… unless God steps in. I know, it goes against common sense to admit and accept that you are powerless. I know, it contradicts your previous life experience. I know, it seems to disregard your feelings, training, and need for security. We think that powerlessness sets us up to look like a fool and a loser. But dependence on God makes heroes of ordinary people like Jabez and you and me. We are forced to say, "God, let Your hand be with me."
God's hand on us could be called "the touch of greatness." We do not become great; we become dependent on the strong hand of God. Our surrendered needs turn into God's unlimited opportunity. God becomes great through us. We pray, "Father, please do this in me because I can't do it alone! It's too big for me!" Then you step out in faith to do and say things that could only come from His hand. Afterwards you will find your spirit shouting, "God did that, nobody else! God carried me, gave me the words, gave me the power - and it is wonderful!"
If you can truly admit and accept your own powerlessness and invite God to bless you - you will set in motion a cycle of blessing that will keep multiplying what God is able to do in and through you. You will reach new levels of blessings where you begin again to ask God to expand your borders. As the cycle repeats itself you'll find that you are steadily moving into wider spheres of blessings and influence. The day will come when you will be so overwhelmed with God's graciousness that you will say, "It's too much! Hold some of your blessings back!" You will know beyond doubt that God has opened heaven's storehouses because you have prayed.
Right now, you have an opportunity to do just that. Come with us on a journey to become a Prayer Chaplain. As you discover your greatness and the greatness of others, we will be here to support you as you make this next step on your spiritual journey. You will truly enjoy this training and the opportunity to say "Here I Am Lord," use me.
So, will you let God work in your life regardless of what He chooses? It will always be for your best. Will you surrender to His power and love and surprising plan for you? I hope you do. Amazing things can happen in your life. You will feel renewed confidence in the power and reality of your prayers because you know you're praying in the will and pleasure of God. So, it is time to ask for God-sized blessings by totally surrendering to God. God will release His miraculous power in your life now. And for all eternity. He will lavish on you His honor and delight.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10; Proverbs 10:22; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 14:25-31
REFERENCE: The Prayer of Jabez Bruce Wilkinson
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Last updated
May 6, 2008
