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 Summer
vacations will soon be coming to an end, families will return to
weekly worship services, and the college students will soon be
back. Add to all that the many guest and visitors who will be
coming through our doors and you have the makings for powerful fall
kick-off.
To assure we get off the ground with all the
power God makes available to us, I wanted to share a little story
with you. Have you ever heard the story of David Huxley? Mr.
Huxley owns a world record in a most unusual category; he pulls
jetliners.
On October 15, 1997, for example, he broke his
own record at Mascot Airport in Sydney, Australia. He strapped
around his upper torso a harness that was attached to a steel
cable. The other end of the cable was attached to the front wheel
strut of a 747 jetliner that weighed 187 tons. With his tennis
shoes firmly planted on the runway, Huxley leaned forward, pulled
with all his might, and remarkably was able to get the 747 rolling.
In fact, he pulled the jetliner one hundred yards in one minute and
twenty-one seconds. A superhuman feat indeed! One strong man can
do much to move things along, but was this the best way to move a
jet?
The power that was available within the jet
engines would have allowed it to fly, instead of being dragged only
a few hundred feet!
I understand this story is all about the
stunt. However, the best way to move a jet is to start those
powerful engines and hang on.
I hear this story and my mind drifts to the
church. Think about the power behind the church if only she would
be open to using it. But most days, the church slowly creeps
forward under the power of a few passionate people who are doing
their best to pull the church with all their might.
How much more could be accomplished if we
tapped the full power of God for the church? On the other hand, how
much untapped power is going wasted in our personal life as well? I
am able to do so much more with God than I am able to do without
Him. Why do I fail to tap the power of God more I my life? Good
question!
What impresses me so much about this story?
Simple! It’s a story about one man going it alone vs. partnership!
To reach the heights we were created to reach, we need to partner
with God.
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In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, God reminds the Israelites
that great things do not come at the hand of humans, but by the hand
of God. Zechariah 4:6 reads, “Not by might nor by power, but by My
Spirit, says the Lord!”
So, what’s the point? Many of us are trying to
do too much on our own strength and ability. We have failed to join
ourselves with God and allow Him to take us higher than we could
ever go on our own.
No wonder we feel overwhelmed and a little
fatigued. The answer to reaching new heights is partnership. When
we tap the power of God in our lives, watch out. That oversize
weight you’ve been pulling all this time is about to take off. Not
by your power, But by His!
This fall’s programming is full of opportunity
for God’s people to soar. We have lots of new and exciting ministry
for the whole family. There’s an opportunity for everyone to see
the power of God working in and through their lives.
Have you wondered what ever happened to David
Huxley? He’s still listed with the Guinness Book of World Records
for his stunt. But now he flies around the world telling his story
for special engagements.
Interesting! The man who is well known for
pulling jets by superhuman strength has discovered the comfort and
ease of flying in them.
What’s my point? You can continue to pull and
yank your way through life! If you want! Or, you can allow the
power of God to take you for a ride. Hang on! This is going to be
a great fall!
[Ron Otto
– Preaching Minister – Lincoln Christian Church]
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