Beyond Their Power

By Michael Pemberton

 "For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." - II Corinthians 8:3,4

 It was the Thursday night of a week-long revival when I picked up Frank from the group home where he lived and took him with me to church. "Hi," he said, grinning at me as he got in the car. I could tell he had taken more than the usual care in dressing himself tonight. At least his shirt was tucked in.

 Frank was one of those rare individuals who seem to triumph in spite of the hand life dealt them. He was born retarded into a fairly poor family. I don't recall exactly how I first met him, but I liked him right away.

 "Guess what!" he said liltingly. He started a lot of sentences that way, but this was unusually musical.

 "What," I replied. "I want to be a blessing to somebody today. I'm just gonna be!" he retorted. "I don't doubt it," I said. And I didn't. I figured Frank was a blessing to almost everyone who had their own obstacles to overcome. His joy was as contagious as his hurdles were obvious.

 As church ended, some of the young people invited us to join them at a beach party to pray about the last days of the meeting. Frank was overjoyed!

 What a beautiful night it was. The skies reflecting in the nearly still waters of the lake made a carpet of stars that looked like you could walk from the shore right out into the heavens. The bonfire crackled and we sat in the cool sand tossing conversation around like a Frisbee.

 Someone commented on how they felt convicted about some of the music they had a habit of listening to. Someone else got defensive, and the discussion quickly centered on the topic. Unexpectedly, Frank chimed in, "I don't like that kind of music, it sticks to me inside." Suddenly it was quiet. I felt embarrassed for Frank's sake.

 After the meeting the following day, one person after another thanked me for bringing my friend to the beach. They thanked Frank for making the problem so clear and for being such a blessing. I heard things like, "What a great rule. If something sticks to me I should avoid it." Now I was embarrassed for my sake.

 See, I figured Frank would have a great time on the beach. I figured people would feel encouraged by his contagious joy and victorious attitude. I failed to figure Frank for a philosopher. I certainly didn't figure Frank had the resources to settle a delicate argument about religious convictions.

 It turns out that what we can do is not equal to what we think can be done with the resources we have. Resources were never an issue with God. He has never really cared all that much for what we think we are capable of doing or for what we think others are capable of doing. He does care for what we are willing to do.

 There is nothing wrong being resourceful. In fact, resourcefulness is an admirable quality. The problem comes when we judge what God can do through us based on the apparent value of our resources.

 Listen to a smattering of quotes from famous Christians:

 "The world has never yet seen what God can do with one man fully surrendered to him. I want to be that man." -D.L. Moody

 "Attempt great things for God." -Charles Wesley

"Wager everything you have on God. If you win, you win everything." -Blaise Pascal (loosely translated)

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliott

All of these say what the Macedonian brethren discovered in Paul's day, and what I failed to realize with Frank. If we give ourselves first to God, then to the service of others, we can exceed the expectations of even our most severe critics. The key is to give your self first to God.