It’s been a while since I’ve written an original for the blog—but today, I felt so inspired, I couldn’t not write!
Last night, Sweet Bridget and I experienced a temporary power outage at our home. Morning arrived, and it was time to get our cars out of the garage. That door wasn’t going to open itself. So I pulled the red emergency cord to detach the door from the mechanism and lifted it manually.
No worries. Until I tried to reattach the door to the track so it would be ready to rise automatically again once power was restored.
I applied so much force to get that latch back into the correct groove. Push, pull, and try as I might, I kept getting really close and falling short of my goal.
I got close—so close!—but couldn’t get the latch to catch.
I tried in the dark.
I tried with a flashlight.
I tried from the ground.
I even tried balancing on an upright cinder block (hint: not OSHA-approved).
Tonight, with the power restored, I brought out a ladder thinking a new angle might be the key to success. From my fresh vantage point, I kept pushing, adjusting, aligning. Nothing.
Until I paused to consider… what if I stopped trying to force it?
What if I stopped pushing and pulling altogether?
What if I let it be and simply activated the door?
I stepped away and pressed the button, thinking I may need to run back over and spring into action to save the whole system from self destructing.
Instead, the chain began to move—click—the mechanism aligned perfectly. The latch caught.
The door moved as designed. I had been straining in the dark, but all I needed was to let the power flow.
I learned a thing or two from this power outage.
(Thing 1: ChatGPT was correct. A freezer left sealed will hold its temperature for 8 to 24 hours if it’s at least half full. Handy to know. 😉)
Sometimes I try to do in my own strength what only works when the power is on.
I can stop pushing in my own strength and allow the power to flow!
Where in my life am I striving alone when I believe wholeheartedly that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)?
When am I turning to prayer last instead of first? Where in my life am I neglecting the power and wisdom of the Spirit altogether?
Where have I been laboring, meaning well with sincere effort… when Jesus is inviting me to pause, to trust, to reconnect—and allow His power to move?
Yes, I can try.
I can push.
I can exert a lot of effort and even appear productive in my energy-draining striving.
But how much greater to pause, to pray, to partner with the Spirit?
I can check in. From a grounded and connected place, I can see more clearly. I can receive what I need. I can believe what’s true. And I can allow His power to flow!
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” ~Zechariah 4:6
Where are you striving today?
Is there a latch you’ve been pushing at for far too long in your own strength?
Where in your life are you pressing hard, maybe even telling yourself you have good reasons—but forgetting to pause and partner with the Spirit?
I pray you pause. Take a breath. Invite the power of the Spirit to move where your strength has reached its limit. And instead choose to trust the One whose energy never fails.
What if what feels like admitting weakness… is actually wisdom?
Let the power flow.
Living Truth 