The supply hose was easy enough to find, they just didn't have the right length. The pigtail was semi-easy to find, they just didn't have the one described by my husband for this project and the 3/8" nut connector was, well - almost impossible. So much for my confidence - surely an employee could help me. (Since I got help, I have someone to blame for this mishap.)
I'm not an electrician, I like electricity, just don't have much knowledge about the details of how it works. I have a healthy respect for the stuff, but don't count me in for the re-wiring of the house, for crying out loud. So, when the "boy" at the home improvement store starts substituting some pretty yellow wire and a little things that plugs into the wall for the pigtail, I'm game. (Now don't go giving your comments about how I should have known better - I've given my disclaimer!)
Let's just say, it was NO substitute. Don't send a girl to do a man's shopping! Not only would my purchase not work, but it couldn't be returned (who knew?) So I had wasted time and money to end up with nothing useful - for this project at least!
Here's my thought process. I had what I considered "all the parts necessary" to complete the job. What I was lacking was a healthy understanding of what was really needed.
In the last post, I was asking myself, and you about how I could have such a keen understanding of the Biblical principles, but remain "dimly lit." John 14:15-31 gives a clear description of the power that picks up right at the foot of the Cross. Here's what verse 26 says in the Amplified version of the Bible:
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.My husband is a patient man (he's married to me, isn't he?!) He did an excellent job providing me with the list, I even had pretty pictures from the installation sheet. What I did not have is the experience to know if a substitution could be made, or how the items on my list were relevant to the overall job. And this is a simple home improvement project.
How much more do we need help when it comes to the application of Biblical principles? Our lack of real experience in the spiritual realm, makes us very dimly lit. We attempt to substitute things (behaviors, actions, attitudes) for real understanding. Like the blind leading the blind, we rely on the advice of others, who are no more connected to the source than we are.
Don't get me wrong, I was a believer. I had the security of salvation and eternity in heaven. What I didn't have was the power to live in a whole, healthy, clean relationship with God. That came when I decided to acknowledge, fully, that I needed some additional help and I was provided with the promised, Holy Spirit.
The key here is surrender. So long as I was willing to think that I had an answer, or an understanding, I was dimly lit and on my own. I have no more of an idea about living out my life in light of the Bible as I know about electricity. The moment I honestly acknowledged that, a surge of power ignited me and my spirit was so illuminated that it almost scared me. I'm getting used to this illumination and I make a daily decision to stay surrendered.
A power source is available to us that will connect us to an abundance of everything we need to live a peace filled, joyful life. That source is available to us, only on the terms set out by God. We can't negotiate it, provide a substitute, or reason our way around it. The cross paid the price, our full surrender keeps us connected.
Grace and Peace to you. Let go and let God! He's waiting to fill you with Himself and all the power you need to face your life!
1 comment:
Good analogy. Can you imagine trying to subsititue reading books for God's Word, the Bible? At the end of life, there will be a no return policy.
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