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Do Not Reach for the Power


"For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).

A few years ago, a friend was asked by a large organization to meet with them about doing some cooperative projects in the faith at work area. He visited their headquarters and had several initial discussions. They concluded that they would proceed on a joint conference.

During his visit, he stayed overnight at the headquarters of this ministry. He was awakened at 5 A.M. and led to read Exodus 33:15. Moses said he could not go any further if God did not promise that His presence would go with him. He sensed this was to be their theme for the conference.

Later that morning, he shared that he had received this leading from the Lord regarding the theme of the conference with some of the people in the organization. However, when he shared this with the leader of the organization, he did not take it seriously. He was a bit irritated and his pride was hurt, but he decided to follow a principle that he had been walking in for a few years: act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power. He realized that if God had truly spoken His words into his heart, he would not have to exercise his authority to make it happen. God would orchestrate it.

More discussion was given to the theme, but nothing was resolved. A few hours later, the conference theme came up again. He turned to a friend and read Exodus 33:15 aloud, and he got excited about using that verse as the possible theme of the event. The leader, to his amazement, chimed in as well and said, "Yes, that should be the theme of the conference." It was a big lesson for him.

Act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power.