Just like Snap sang, "I've Got The Power!"

Man, I am so in love with the Word of God! My mornings are better because of the time I spend in it and this morning did not disappoint!

One of the devotions I am reading through (Yes, one of, because I have a long-term reading plan and several devotionals in the bible app, YouVersion, going at all times!) hit on our strength through the power of God to do ALL He has purposed for us to do.

See, I often doubt myself and my abilities but it isn't about me at all except for my willingness to trust and move in His power and strength. The picture above is from my coloring bible, The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible. It's so much fun!! Space to journal and be creative makes my time in it more intentional and interactive. ANYWAY, I digress. This morning I read this passage in 2 Peter again. I already had it highlighted and marked up but had to add more marks because things just hit me again this morning.

Let me share this passage from The Passion Translation, with a bit of added emphasis from yours truly.

"God’s Generous Grace

3 Everything we could ever need for life and complete devotion[f] to God has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.[g] 4 As a result of this, he has given you[h] magnificent promises[i] that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises[j] you can experience partnership[k] with the divine nature, by which you have escaped[l] the corrupt desires that are of the world.

Faith’s Ladder of Virtue

5 So devote yourselves[m] to lavishly supplementing[n] your faith with goodness,[o]

and to goodness add understanding, 6 and to understanding add the strength of self-control, and to self-control add patient endurance, and to patient endurance add godliness,[p] 7 and to godliness add mercy toward your brothers and sisters,[q] and to mercy toward others add unending love.[r]

8 Since these virtues are already planted deep within,[s] and you possess them in abundant supply,[t] they will keep you from being inactive or fruitless in your pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately. 9 But if anyone lacks these things, he is blind, constantly closing his eyes to the mysteries of our faith,[u] and forgetting his innocence—for his past sins have been washed away.[v]

We are not alone in this crazy mixed up world! God has planned and purposed your life before you were ever born and He longs to use you to impact those around you for His glory. His desire is for you to trust Him completely, taking steps (big and small) to follow Him and lead others to His saving grace. How that unfolds in your life will probably look different than it does in mine or anyone else's. While I am called to vocational ministry, you may be called to teach. Someone else may be called to be a doctor or a lawyer, or a stay-at-home parent, or many other options. The one common thing we all have is that Jesus expects and empowers us all to be vessels of His Spirit to move in and through so that those around us will see Him in us and turn to Him as well.

Is God speaking to you? Is He challenging your heart for something new, something more, something different? Don't be afraid! Build your faith by taking that step of faith and move in that calling. Don't ever settle for just enough or status quo.