A mind is a terrible thing to waste!

Last Saturday morning I was loading my truck with tools for the day of work on our building. I had the necessary tools all good to go with the last being a portable generator. I think portable is a misnomer as the only thing portable are the wheels on the bottom. The thing is too heavy to pick up by myself especially into the bed of my truck. So, I thought about it for a moment and started to head to the house to get Barbara (my wife (she is stronger than she lets on)) to come out and pick up the other end. Together we would lift it into the truck. In the past I have pivoted the beast on the wheels or legs onto a trailer but no trailer today. It would not be easy but doable.

Halfway to the house my brain turned on with a brilliant idea. So, I said, “hey I own a tractor with a front end loader.” The heavens opened up and angels sang with my thought. Sure enough I put a ratchet strap to that bad boy generator and a tow strap to the bucket and lifted it into the truck and later when I returned lifted it out. It was so easy. I was (and still am) so proud of myself working smarter and not harder.

Fortunately the brain continued to work on Monday and I lifted and held my riding lawn mower as I drilled out a broken bolt and replaced it, twice I might add. It is amazing when a mind does not go to waste. As I thought about these events (with a little pride) it occurred to me that too often I fail to see and use resources that are mine already. All the time I had that tractor and lift capacity, I just failed to use it. I think if we will be honest we have to admit we waste spiritual resources more often than that!

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Consider how many times we have failed to take advantage of “His power that is at work within us” to face and defeat our foe. How many times have we tried to “muscle” it up to whatever level required only to fail when the “power” was sitting there unused because we failed to ask for it? That seems ridiculous but it happens all too often. The fullness of God lives within us a power that is able to do “immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine.”

26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 …which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:24-25 HCSB

Consider “the power that is at work within us.” What can He not do…fail. That is the resource we have sitting there waiting to be used. Because of our “craving” nature we refuse to ask Him

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have...You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:1-2 HCSB

Rest assured I will be using my tractor in some other ways. The real trick will be die to self and to ask God first for the resources that he has already given and then to use them for His glory and my good.

It’s good when your brain works!

In HIS Service and Yours,

Bro G