The Power Source

Alexis had great intentions for her summer job baby-sitting three small neighborhood children. Their mom didn’t want them watching much TV, but instead to play at the park, go swimming, and go to the library for story time. When Alexis accepted the job, it sounded like fun! Imagine getting paid to go to the pool! It was a shock to discover how much hard work was involved in “playing” with kids. At the pool Alexis didn’t lay out with her friends—she entertained for endless hours in the baby pool. At the library, Alexis didn’t browse through the stacks of novels—she tried to keep the baby from eating the board books and screaming. At the park, she never sat down—she pushed two kids on the swings while keeping the baby from eating sand. “I quit,” Alexis finally told their mom. “I haven’t got the strength.”

Instead of leaning on her own strength, Alexis needed to ask God to work through her. “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (TNIV) God gave Alexis the desire to do an excellent baby-sitting job. He also wanted to supply the energy to do the work. Pray and believe God for the power to do the job—and then do it well.