Becoming Powerless in Heart, Head, and Habit

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The story of the Roman centurion is about becoming powerless. Let’s take a closer look and see some timely insights on how a powerless life is lived. Powerlessness is not the absence of power; it is the absence of the desire to be great. Let’s ask four questions that would guide us to a better and deeper understanding of becoming powerless.

What would it take to make a powerful person acknowledge powerlessness in heart, head, and habits?

It will take an encounter with Jesus Christ. No one can fabricate such an encounter. An encounter with the Lord results in deep spiritual realizations. An encounter with the Lord opens up the opportunity to respond to God’s invitation. Though not everyone who encounters Christ will acknowledge powerlessness.

What is the unnoticed miracle in this story?

The unnoticed miracle is the spiritual conversion of the centurion. Conversion is a spiritual rebirth, a spiritual redirection. Conversion is a one-time and continuous work of the Spirit. Any miracle that becomes an end in itself is incomplete.

What are the surprising elements in the story?

The people who don’t have a religious background displayed authentic faith, while those who have a rich religious heritage, missed the point. People who admit their powerlessness before God find affirmation from Him. Unless the Lord grants you grace, your gift of freedom to choose won’t function. Our response to the issue of powerlessness has eternal consequences.

What impressed the Lord in the centurion’s statement?

“Just say the word.” The centurion responded in faith. He said to Jesus, “There’s no need for You to come to my home.” He responded in powerlessness and Jesus showed him His power.

Lord, always grant us a fresh encounter with You that we may walk in the pathway of powerlessness. Amen.

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This is an excerpt from Language of Grace by Arnel C. Tan. The devotional is available at OMF Lit Bookshops, our online store shop.omflit.com, Shopee, and Lazada for P295.

About the book:

In The Language of Grace, best-selling author Arnel C. Tan shares his thoughts on one of the subjects closest to his heart: Prayer. For Pastor Arnel, prayer is more than just a few words of thanks said before meals, the long-winded proclamations from the pulpit, or the dry murmurs of tradition. Prayer can be an adventure, a journey that takes us beyond our comfort zones and into the very presence of our Heavenly Father.