This past week, Marlene and I got to attend a conference with Henry Blackaby.  As usual he was quite inspiring.  After the event someone asked me if I would be sharing about what we heard, and so I thought I would take a moment this morning to share something that was an important reminder to me.

The question was asked, “do we need God in our church, or have we reduced things to what we can manage without Him?”  As he asked that question, my mind went to our community Easter Egg hunt.  The first year that we did it, we wondered what the response would be and could we gather enough eggs, candy, and prizes to pull it off.  As the day approached several of us were in prayer, not only for the event, but for the salvation of those who would be attending.  Rev. Browning even drove his car around the church praying.  God worked, and things came together for a good day, and most of all we had people not only pray to accept Christ, but some became a part of our congregation.  That was a God sized thing. 

As the years have gone by, however, we have come to figure out how we can reduce it down so that we can handle it.  We have prizes stored away that we purchased on sale last year.  We have a list of sponsors that we will contact again.  We are getting better at figuring out the details.  We actually have worked it out so that we can do this without God’s help.

But we cannot do this without God’s help.  We may have the event, and people may show up, but the most important thing will be missing, and that is the power of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot reduce that down to something we can do without God.  If we want to impact our community at this event, then we must be on our knees in fervent prayer.  Without His presence, the event is a waste of our time.

It is so tempting in life to reduce everything down to what we can handle.  Then there is no risk of failure.  It is such an easier life.  But at the same time, it is such an empty life.  There is nothing more exciting than to step out on faith and then watch as God comes through.

I must admit that I am not always the bravest, but Tammy and I have stepped out on faith with the trip to Haiti.  Already we have seen God provide in some special ways, but I must admit, my vision is bigger than what I have seen so far.  Almost a week into planning, and we have seen just a little response in medical supplies donated, and only $160 in cash.  My temptation is to figure out what I can do to make this something I can manage, but God is reminding me that if I manage it, then He will not get the glory.

As you look at your own life, are you managing things, or are you giving God opportunities to show just how mighty He is?  In Philippians 4:13 we read “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Are you allowing opportunities in your life where that strength will be necessary?  Let’s follow Him into a future where it will not be by our strength or by our power, but by the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).