“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.”

Zechariah 4:6

There seems to be a natural human inclination to be a superman or superwoman. We love the idea of being able to fix problems or save “the world” with our wonderful, super-human strength. Yet life has a way of squashing these notions.

We find out that we don’t have supernatural powers to fix our world, our families, or even ourselves. Our best efforts often come short of what is needed. When it dawns on us that we don’t have what it takes to make the difference we desire, we can become stressed or discouraged.

The good news is that God never intended for you to be superman. He does, however, have a plan to enable you to make the difference he is calling you to make. His plan involves his Spirit.

Today’s text was written to Zerubbabel, who faced a daunting task. He was called to rebuild the temple of the Lord at a time when the supplies were limited and the people disheartened. He would not have the personal resources for such a huge undertaking.

Yet the Lord spoke to him in a vision and encouraged him by saying that this great work would be accomplished not by Zerubbabel’s might but by the working of the Holy Spirit. Zerubbabel could take off his superman suit. It would not be needed; it would not accomplish the work. God’s Spirit would be the enabling force.

Sometimes our souls become tired because we are attempting to be superman when God intends us to rely on the strength of his Spirit. We find refreshment and renewal as we surrender our misconceptions about our own strength and strivings and place full reliance on the Spirit of God to accomplish what God is calling us to do.

What is God’s calling for you? Are you feeling that it will not be accomplished because you do not have what it takes? Take off the superman suit. You are not superman, but you are called to be a channel of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. His enabling will accomplish through you what you are called to do. Call on him for moment-by-moment strength.

Prayer starter: Thank you that your power is not limited by my resources.