This past week-end, I went to a special birthday celebration for a friend of mine named Serena Young, at a ministry in Upstate New York. So many people came out to worship and celebrate with her, but there was one thing in particular that stuck out for me. A worship leader named Wynetta Hall-McElveen and her excellent praise team from The Philadelphia Church in Buffalo, NY, ushered the congregation into the presence of the Lord. She began talking to all of us in attendance about the importance of not getting caught up in our our "know-how," but rather, trusting God to anoint what we know in order to empower us to do His work.
After Wynetta made that statement, it just stayed with me, because it's so important. You see, many of us have been given exceptional gifts and talents by God, but, if we're not careful, we'll focus more on cultivating our gifts, instead of nurturing the anointing on our lives through prayer, studying God's word, and living a life that's pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
We'll begin thinking that our level of productivity and effectiveness is determined only by what we know, which will lead us to begin "leaning to our own understanding"--something the Bible clearly warns us not to do. (Proverbs 3:5)
I believe God has given you and me the requisite knowledge we need to move in the direction He's mapped out for us. Notwithstanding, it takes more than our natural know-how to fulfill our destiny and purpose in the earth.
Without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, none of us can accomplish the tasks God has set before us. That's why we all need to pray, "God anoint my know-how. Teach me to depend on you. Help me to realize that it's not me, but it's you working through me." "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6b KJV).
On our own, we can't do it. No matter how much education, training, experience, or know-how we have, without the Spirit of God, we're missing the key element that brings it all together. We must remember what Jesus said: "...for without me you can do nothing" (St. John 5:15b).
The something that we know means nothing without God. Always remember that. But with God on our side, He'll take that something and do above and beyond everything we might've ever imagined.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
