Total Dependence: Moving Beyond Our Own Might

What happens when you step out into the unknown with nothing but a "Yes"? From the Garden of Eden to a life-changing mission trip in Cuba, this blog explores why human ability is never enough. Discover how "Total Dependence" on the Word and the Spirit turns language barriers into breakthroughs and leads seeking souls to the waters of baptism.

C. Atkinson

7/27/20243 min read

floating green leaf plant on person's hand

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6

Praise the Lord, everyone! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! I want to remind you today that you are beautiful, necessary, and deeply loved. God manifested Himself in the flesh just for you, offering a life of peace now and the guarantee of eternity later.

The Lord is calling us into a season of Total Dependence. As humans, we naturally wake up with our own agendas, relying on our physical strength and intellect to navigate the day. But the Word reminds us that it is only in Him that we live, move, and have our being.

The Protection of His Instructions

From the very beginning in Genesis, God gave us free will, but He also gave us boundaries for our protection. When He warned Adam about the tree of knowledge, it wasn't to restrict his joy, but to preserve his life.

We know the story—the enemy used subtlety to draw man out of God’s presence. Yet, even when we fail, God’s perfect love provides a way back. As believers, our success is guaranteed not when we are strong in ourselves, but when we are totally dependent on His Word. Like Mary and Joseph, who moved only when the angel gave the word, we must learn to trust His directions even when they don't seem to make sense to our natural minds.

A Lesson from the Mission Field

I recently experienced the power of this dependence during my first mission trip to Cuba. When the Lord told me to "prepare and go," He didn't give me a manual or a map. As the date approached, I felt the weight of my limitations—specifically, I didn’t speak Spanish.

The Lord gently reminded me: “All you need is My Word and My Spirit.” This echoed a powerful message my Pastor once preached titled "Word and Spirit." (You can listen to that message here).

In Cuba, surrounded by a language I didn’t understand, I had no choice but to lean entirely on the Holy Spirit. I realized that my inability to speak was an opportunity for God to speak louder.

The Miracle at the Shore

While visiting a family, I felt led to share the plan of salvation with a woman named Flor. As my friend translated the necessity of repentance and baptism, I saw tears fill Flor’s eyes. The Holy Spirit was doing a work that no human orator could achieve.

The following day, while walking along a beautiful beach, the peace of God's creation was all around us. But amidst the beauty, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart: “Don’t forget—a soul is waiting to be saved today.”

When I shared this with Flor, she gave a resounding "Yes!" On July 24, 2024, Flor went down in the waters of baptism. There was such joy on that shore, mirroring the joy of the angels in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

Do You Believe?

Flor’s salvation wasn't the result of my "might" or "power"—it was the result of Total Dependence.

I want to ask you today: Do you believe God can save your family? Do you believe He can reach that atheist co-worker? Do you believe He wishes for none to perish? If we stop leaning on our own understanding and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths to the souls that are waiting.

Trust Him with all your heart today. He is faithful!

Verse for Meditation:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6