There is a story about a young missionary in New York City working with inner city youth. An elder from the church saw the young man walking 12 miles from his apartment everyday and decided to gift him his car. The car runs well he said, but it will only start with a push. For 2 years the young missionary thought of great creative ways to start the car, he did everything from parking on hills to paying young children to push. He was really quite proud of his elaborate system to start the car.

 

After 2 years his time serving in New York was up, and he decided to give the car to the new missionary coming in. He spent great time explaining his complex system of starting the car. The new missionary nodded his head and opened the hood. He noticed a loose cable and tightened it; the car started immediately. He had the power to start the car the entire time but was distracted by trying to do it himself.

 

God has given us power through the Holy Spirit, it is up to us to use the power. We can spend time in prayer and listen to the Spirit guiding us, or we can try to figure it all out on our own. God gives us great power; it is up to us to decide to use it. I pray this advent season we rely more on the power of God, and less on our own perceived power.