What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 MSG
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
When Christ left this earth He did not leave us on our own. His friend the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) came down to dwell in us. With God this close to us we are able to redouble our efforts in keeping obedient in all that He has commanded us.
The Holy Spirit is God within us. We have been given this gift so that we are able to, “continue to work out our salvation.” Our salvation is not something that we can do. It is something that we choose to receive.
In our worldly state of being sometimes it is hard to receive a gift we do not feel we have earned. Our pride can get in the way and tell us that we need to do something. All the doing we need to do is to know where the energy we need to tap into comes from.
When we can recognize that it is God’s energy surging in us we are able to be humbled in all we do and continue to come back to the well that will never leave us thirsty. The burden of purpose can depart from us and we can rest in the guidance we seek from within each day.
Considerations for your planner:
- How are you feeling energized in your purpose today? Write down the ways in which you feel the surge of the Holy Spirit directing you.
A Prayer for Our Community:
Father God, Help us to know where our power comes from. It will never come from us. You are the core of all the energy we need. Tapping into You will bring us away from the ways that the world thinks and bring us into the place that You need us. We want Your energy. We need Your energy. Let us be compelled to seek this energy out in all the ways we endeavor in our days. Amen.
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences and prayers. We'd love to hear a story or prayer about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
