Power that Works

I leave tomorrow for the adventure of my dreams - kayaking with the wild ponies of Chincoteague Island. I also hope to bicycle on the Island and am bringing my very cute little folding bike. I have a ten year old little bike pump that I bought mostly because it was cute, but also, it fit in my tiny bike repair bag that clips on the back of my tiny bike. For ten years, I have never figured out how to get the tiny pump to work.  I decided that I wanted everything just right for this trip of my dreams, and brought my little bike pump to a bike shop yesterday.

"Can I help you?" asked the nice bike repairman.
"Yes.See this pump? Either I am really stupid, or this pump is deficient, because for ten years, I have never figured out how it works."
He laughed (at me) and took the pump.
"Well, let's see what we have here."
He let some air out of one of the store bike tires, and then tried to pump it up.
"I see what the problem is," he said.
"Yes?"
"Basically, this pump is a piece of crap."
"Ah."
At this point, the store manager came over.
"Let me try," he said. I was the only customer and that was good as the salesmen were bored and happy to try to help me.
He also (unsuccessfully) tried to pump the tire.
"He's right."
"The pump stinks?"
"Yes."
"Well, show me your mini pumps. Would you take some off the price if I give you this one in trade, or should I just give it as a gift to my brother?"
"It would make a fine gift for your brother."

So I got a new pump that works, and a gift for my engineer brother who I am sure will be able to fix the crappy pump. I carried that pump in my bike bag knowing it didn't work for ten years. I kept thinking if I got a flat tire, and needed to use the pump, some miracle would happen and I would find a way to make it work. I would muscle it into submission.  But that was stupid. What I needed was a pump that worked. Carrying a useless pump around was never going to do the job that needed to be done.

I think I was receiving a cool message from God.

The Bible says God is power. We are told God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power. The Holy Spirit that indwells us when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior strengthens us "with all power." Without God, we are a useless pump, with no power to do anything of eternal value. We can struggle along on our own, but ultimately, when trials come, we will be as deflated as the tire my poor old pump could not fill. Our fleshly pumps will never fill the God-sized hole in our hearts.

I thanked the bike salesmen and brought my new pump to my little folding bike and the tiny bike bag. It fit perfectly, and now I knew I had a pump that actually worked.

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2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Acts 1:8 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 6:14

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

1 Corinthians 4:20  

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Ephesians 6:10 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Luke 10:19 

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Colossians 1:11

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

Ephesians 3:20 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,