The Greater the Dependence, the Greater the Power

One of the traps of longevity in children's ministry is that we can become so good and self-sufficient that we don’t need His presence and power. In the natural, no challenge is too difficult, no circumstance is insurmountable.

It would be wise for us to learn from the apostle Paul in this matter. We all know that Paul had credentials and qualifications second to none. And yet we read in 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NCV) "We are not saying that we can do this work ourselves. It is God who makes us able to do all that we do."

Here's the reason for this blog. The measure of your dependence will determine the measure of His power. In saying that, please understand that this doesn't give license for you to not prepare and do your part. Paul instructed Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God. We are to walk into ministry knowing that we have done everything that we can do. We have thought of creative ways to communicate the gospel. We have sought after fresh, new ideas to capture the attention of our children. And yet, with all of our training and preparation, we must walk into each occasion of ministry with a cry of desperation for His anointing and presence. We must be helplessly dependent upon Him to do everything that He can do.

This dependency might even require that we cast aside all of our preparation so that we follow Him step by step through the ministry. It might require that the expensive object lesson be shelved for a later date, the much rehearsed skit be placed back into the filing system for a later performance.

As your dependency increases, so will the anointing. Learn to depend upon His leading and prompting. Learn to decrease so that He can increase. One more time ... the greater the dependence, the greater the power.