THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH by Robert Soto (Posted on an email from Words from the Creator)

THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH
By Robert Soto
Posted on an email from Words from the Creator

November 23, 2009

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

The other day I did the hoop dance before the people of the pow wow. This is from a guy who was told three months ago that I needed a total knee replacement. I must confess when I was told that, I believed that there was no other choice but to do as the surgeon suggested. But in my heart, I felt that I was not ready for such a procedure. I told him I felt that I had a high tolerance of pain and if ever I needed it I would make sure and give him a call. I did agree on my minor surgery but just eight days before it was scheduled, my pain went completely away. How did it happen? Was the specialist wrong when he told me I needed a total knee replacement? Was it God and a wonderful miracle of His healing power? I would like to believe it was a miracle from God and in many ways I feel it was. But this weekend as I did the hoop dance I could not help but meditate on a statement I heard from one of the spectators. He asked, "How does he do it?"

As I approached the microphone I kept asking myself the same question. How do I really do it? For me the answer is easy - because I know how I do it. I know that what I do today is not because of me, but because of God the Creator's strength which rests in me. It is taking all the resources that He offers me and taking advantage of them and allowing His strength to work through me. Moses wrote, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." For when I do the hoop dance I must confess that it is not me, but God the Creator who is working through me in spite of my weakness.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church