April 9, 2014

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)

I think most of us women would like to be Superwoman. Well, maybe not Superwoman but have some "super" abilities. Sometimes I see these women all over the internet that have these beautiful blogs, beautiful children, make beautiful meals, do beautiful entertaining, have beautiful homes and show beautiful photos on their beautiful blogs that they have skillfully taken themselves of their beautiful children, their beautiful meals, their beautiful parties, and their beautiful homes.

Their cupcakes alone are works of art. And what about all those do it yourself and home repair things they do around their houses? I have trouble getting my dishes and laundry done, let alone doing all the things that some women do. Some of them even make their own art and hang it on the wall.

Of course that’s after they melt the wax to make their own candles, plant, harvest, and can all their garden vegetables, sew their children’s wardrobe, organize every closet in their house, and paint their nails and put on their flawless makeup.

I just feel so small in this big wide world. I can’t do it all. Furthermore, I know I can’t do it all, but I have decided that I do have some abilities that as a Christian I can be a Superwoman.

Super Breath

I can picture Superman blowing that cold front in to save a planet or the world in some way. Maybe he's freezing a nuclear bomb or something, but I too have the ability to have Super Breath.

Look what it says in Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (KJV)

Kindness. I have the capability to show that wonderful, beautiful thing. Kindness can freeze things in a good way. It has the ability to diffuse volatile situations, soothe, encourage, and motivate.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

I’ve got to remember that I possess the ability to be kind and it is always available at my disposal. I need to use kindness more. It gives me that Super Breath.

Super Sight

Superman can see from one city to the next but look how far we can see when we have faith. Faith is seeing the impossible. Look at Abraham.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8 (KJV)

Moses didn’t know what was up ahead for him but he went on by faith refusing "...to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter". (Hebrews 11:24)

Faith is seeing beyond what is our present reality. Our sight with faith goes far. We can have Super Sight.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

Looking with eyes of faith is so important because it helps us see with more focused eyes. It enables us to grow and move forward in our Christian lives.

Super Speed

We may not be able to fly around the world in a few seconds like Superman but look how fast we can accomplish things through prayer.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14, 15 (KJV)

The Lord knows what we need before we even ask.

...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8 (KJV)

As Christians we all have the ability to pray. We can have Super Speed.

Through prayer we are able to fly across the universe up into the heavens and instantly be in contact with our Maker. How many of us use that super ability like we should?

Super Strength

When we go in the Lord’s strength, we are way more powerful than a locomotive. Sometimes I feel just totally worn out. I’m too weak to do anything on my own. I have to go in God’s strength. I sure wouldn’t get very far on my own. I love that passage in Isaiah 40.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

Look what Paul says about strength in Philippians 4.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:12, 13 (KJV)

We learn more about God's strength from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. He is talking about how he has a "thorn in the flesh" and how the Lord's strength brings him through it.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV)

Don’t you love that last part of those verses? "…for when I am weak, then am I strong." Relying on the Lord’s strength is what enables us to have power and brings out that Super Strength.

Final Thoughts

I may not be Superwoman but with Christ I have abilities that are way beyond what I would have without Him. Thank the Lord, no tights involved. We are to be clothed in righteousness and holiness.

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:24 (KJV)

It’s not the things those other women strive for or even achieve that I should be focused on in life. It’s holiness that I should be endeavoring to attain. Other things will fall into place or even fall away if they need to if I am keeping my life holy. Holy living isn’t spoken about much these days, but it is one of the ways others know we are of Christ.

Superman is so recognizable in that suit of his, but I’m to be wearing holiness. My life will scream that I’m one of Christ’s children when I’m wearing holiness just like that big "S" on Superman tells us who he is.

It’s nice to endeavor to be all we can be. That’s what that passage in Proverbs 31 is all about. It’s great to strive to be and do all those beautiful things. It’s nice to be well rounded and have various interests and skills as women. I just think sometimes we need to slow down and get powered back up to live in a holy way.

You know, we do have our own Kryptonite. Yes, you probably guessed that it is sin. Sin weakens us until we are no longer able to bend steel. It slows us down. It weakens our faith. It gets our lives in a tangled mess. It hurts us. It can lay us out long, low, and desolate.

Remember that old quote about the Bible? "This Book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Book". That’s so true.

I know I’ve got to start spending more time in God’s Word and spending more time in prayer, so my abilities are sharpened. I need to work on being kinder. I need to work on my holiness.

I want my faith to help me to leap those tall buildings with a single bound. I want to go further, see farther, and last longer with more power and I can only do that by relying on the Lord's strength and making sure that I am living my life in a holy way.

So, are you embracing your Superwoman powers?

Copyright ©2014 Julia Bettencourt

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