Almir had heard about the incredible power of electricity from the white men visiting his tribe. He wanted more than anything to experience this power for himself, but when he finally succeeded in moving to a place where housing with such power was available, he had no idea how to tap into it.

Neighbours encouraged him to buy devices such as a television, a radio and even an alarm clock. When he raised enough money, he followed their advice and purchased these items, but this only frustrated him because none of these seemed to work! The television set stood in his room, but no matter what he did, it remained silent and still. The radio was no different, and he couldn’t help but wonder what the little black box called an “alarm clock” could possibly be used for.

As he sat in his dark, silent house, he was mystified as to why so many people boasted about electricity. And the funny thing was, it really did seem to work for them! How could something supposedly so useful be so totally useless to him? Why were others successful, while he experienced utter failure? Had he done something bad in his life that hindered him from enjoying such power?

No one bothered to tell Almir that he needed to be connected to the power source, that he needed to plug the power cord into the electrical outlet!

Just imagine for a moment trying to use electric devices without electricity. Electronics would remain completely inoperative. A television set would be merely decoration-and not even a pretty one! But by tapping into the electrical source, you suddenly become provided with power beyond imagination. You can write or talk to people living in distant countries, you can be provided with heat or air-conditioning, you can cook and preserve food-All things unheard of 100 years ago!

The same is true with God’s Spirit, the “spiritual electricity” to anyone who believes. However, His power remains a mystery to anyone who does not connect himself to God by receiving His Holy Spirit!

Consider the following text: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Eph 3:14-16 NIV)

The word rendered here in English by the word “power” is referred to as “dunámei” in the original Greek. Our word, “dynamite”, comes from the same root. As you know, dynamite is quite powerful and can be used to remove any obstruction from our path. The text literally says: “He may strengthen you with dynamite from His Spirit.” In other words, God provides us with unbelievable power. But the only way to experience such power is to be connected and stay connected with the power source.

But how can we do this?

The apostle Paul gives us the answer two verses earlier: “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph 3:12 NIV)

This text is worded somewhat differently in the original Greek. It says: “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by His faith.” The original text does not stress our faith but Jesus’ faith! Wow! And His faith is made available to anyone!

What kind of dynamic power is available to us?

1. “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Eph 3:17 NIV) Wow! If we let Him, Jesus will dwell in us and we will experience Him on a personal level!

2. “…may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” (Eph 3:18 NIV) Through God’s Spirit we will be able to grasp how much Jesus loves us, a love immeasurable in human terms!

3. “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19 NIV) We can be filled to “all the fullness of God”, a fullness that guarantees utter victory.

And just how powerful is God’s “dynamite”?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21 NIV)

Friends, we cannot even fathom all the power that is available to us! Is it possible that just like Almir, we experience defeat because we do not know how to “be connected”? So many depend on their own efforts to attain heaven and to develop intimacy with God, but in all reality it is God Himself who pursues us and makes intimacy with Him possible! And, He grants us salvation at the same time! All of this is available though “His faith”. Not ours, but “His”!

Is it possible that so many believers are experiencing failure because they have no idea of the power available to them through God’s Spirit? Is it possible that we concentrate too much on our own efforts instead of depending solely on Jesus’ faith? Are we realizing how much God really loves us?

The difference between a victorious believer and a defeated one is that the first one is connected and remains connected. The first one lets “God’s fullness” fill his inner void. Nothing else will do! Illicit attractions from this world will always be unfulfilling and deceiving and will inevitably lead to addictions. Victory can be ours, but only if we depend on Jesus’ faith. Only if we make the decision to remain connected with the All-Powerful One!

“Your fellowship with God enables you to gain a victory over the Evil One. Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world – wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important – has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out – but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.” (1 John 2:14-17 The Message)

Are you connected? Is your “electrical cord” plugged in?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Filling the Void” devotional series, please click here.)