Unfulfilled Potential

Judges 13:24 (ESV): "And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson.  And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him."

The birth announcement of Samson was heralded by an angel of the Lord.  He would be a child of promise, uniquely created to fulfill great plans by God.  Samson had an incredible gift of strength.  God wanted to use Samson to defeat the Philistines, who had dominated the children of Israel for the last forty years.  Samson, however, grew into a man that struggled with surrender to God.  As we read his story in the Book of Judges, we find that he was a man who had a willing spirit to serve God, but his flesh was weak.  He was ruled by his emotions instead of by the Spirit.  Lust, anger, and lack of emotional control caused Samson to live an almost life instead of an awesome life.

Samson sounds a lot like many Christians today.  God has amazing plans for our lives.  He wires us with all kinds of potential: skills, talents, and abilities.  Without the control of the Holy Spirit, though, we cannot operate in our full potential.  We find ourselves up and down in our spiritual walk; always waffling between faith and failure.  And, although the Spirit moves on us from time to time, we never give Him complete control.  Do you want to live an almost life or an awesome life?  If an awesome life is your choice, surrender yourself to the Holy Spirit today.  He is the One who knows the mind of God and the path that has been laid out for each of our lives; then watch as He glorifies the Father through you!

Devotion taken from the devotion book: Fire Yourself Daily.