Your energy - for you and your community

Photo courtesy: Jani Kuivalainen

Have you ever felt a surge of inspiration while reading an engaging book, a deep sense of connection during meditation or prayer, or a moment when something moved you to act beyond your own strength or wisdom—with wonderful results? According to Christian A. Schwarz, that’s not just emotion or adrenaline—it’s God’s energy at work. Even if you’re not a believer, you can likely recognize the concept of energy in your daily life—whether you name it God’s energy or simply the flow of life, the principle is the same.

In his book, Schwarz invites us to rediscover a powerful biblical concept that’s been hiding in plain sight. The New Testament uses the Greek word energeia—yes, the root of our word “energy”—to describe the active, life-giving power of God. So what is that energy, really?

• It’s personal. Not some vague force, but the very presence of God moving in and through us.

• It’s empowering. It fuels healing, creativity, spiritual growth, and bold action.

• It’s accessible. This isn’t reserved for mystics or ministers – and not just for believers. Everyone can experience God’s energy in daily life. Cooperation means using your energy for life-giving purposes in relation to God, to yourself, and the people around you.

And when believers tune into it, faith comes alive to be more than head knowledge—it becomes alignment with God’s movement. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit guides us to make choices that don’t hinder God’s energy but instead create space for His Kingdom to come—as it is coming already.

How Do You Tune Into Your Energy?

Each of us has our own appearance, genetics, experiences, gifts, and so on. In the same way, we are also unique in our energy. We are energized (by God, if you will) to be passionate about different things, and the energy we bring into a room or relationship varies from person to person. Noticing your energy in different situations is key to discovering your calling and purpose in life.

The first step is to pay attention to your feelings. When do you feel joy, compassion, or a creative impulse? Ask yourself: “When did I feel most alive in the past month?” Your answer can serve as a guiding post on your journey to connect with your energy.

Another way to discern your energy is to observe the fruit (I wrote a blogpost about this a while back: What kind of fruit is your behavior producing?). Where are you investing your energy so that it is producing life-giving, unifying, and healing results in you and your relationships? Spiritually speaking, this is partnering with God in what He is already doing in and through you.

The opposite is also true. If you’re engaged in activities that drain you, produce little fruit, or distance you from others, you may be blocking the natural flow of energy—or in other words, resisting God’s will in your life. It’s worth asking: Am I forcing this, or is this aligned with the good, true, and beautiful that God is already doing here?

Keep Doing What You Enjoy – In Alignment with the Holy Spirit

Different people are energized by different kinds of spiritual activities. Some are uplifted by a great book that explores the nature of the world or God. Others are on fire after deep prayer, while some are revitalized by a walk in nature. Still others find their deepest fulfillment in sharing the Good News. These are just examples of the various spiritual styles we may have.

Whatever your way of connecting with God’s energy, practice it! It is your own distinctive way of being revitalized. You believers know that God takes great delight in a deep relationship with you—so be present with Him in a way that is natural to you.

·       What activities or moments naturally light you up and give you energy?

·       What could you set down or let go of so that God’s energy has more space to move in your life?

·       What is a Bible verse that helps you align God’s energy in you with His purposes?

Take a moment to jot down one energizing experience and one thing you sense God inviting you to release.

Further reading: God’s Energy: Reclaiming a New Testament Reality. Christian A. Schwarz. Natural Church Development International, 2017.