April 23, 2024
Edith Lovejoy Pierce said, “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity, and it’s first chapter is 'New Year’s Day.'” (www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/new-year).
My goodness, we’re already into chapter 11! What words have you already placed onto your blank pages?
I want to point us to a word that we should avoid, and maybe even purge from our vocabulary, in 2018. That’s the contraction of the word cannot – the word can’t. This word is a highly destructive word, maybe even the most debilitating word in the English language.
“Can’t” destroys motivation, shifts responsibility, and pours cold water on our efforts before we even get started.
Ray Prichard wrote, “When you say ‘can’t,’ especially in reference to the problems of life, you are simply giving up without a fight. You are walking off the field, turning in your uniform, resigning your commission and admitting defeat – all without a battle. You are saying ‘I’ve lost and it’s not even worth trying.’” (Prichard, www.keepbelieving.com, January 3, 1993).
In contrast to “can’t,” Paul makes a great declaration in Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The New Living Translation reads, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
The NIV reads, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
J.B. Phillips reads, “I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives in me.”
Let’s ask four questions as we discern where are spiritually as we begin 2018:
Early in my ministry, I was venting frustration to a friend about being in the middle of a growing church field, but having a hard time getting our internally-focused members to reach out beyond the four walls of the church.
He gave a wise answer: “You can lead, you can preach it, you can set the pace, but you cannot put the ‘want-to’ into their hearts.”
Here’s question that only you can answer: When it comes to making the changes that you need to make this year to improve your life, do you have the “want to” deep within your heart? Are you ready to pay the price to change and improve your life?
Go back to verses 4:10-12 to get the context of verse 13. Paul did not randomly write this verse. He was in chains, writing from prison, unable to continue his missionary journeys. Yet, he chose contentment because his entire focus was on Christ (see Philippians 1:21).
We have the wrong idea about contentment. We pursue what we think will make us happy only to discover that it wasn’t the answer to happiness we thought it would be. Paul wasn’t in the best situation, but he allowed God to use him anyway.
Along with choosing contentment, we should focus on “can” rather than “can’t.” What could you accomplish in 2018 with an I can do it attitude? Suppose you knew you could (fill in the blank)? What would you undertake?
Instead of “I can’t,” what if you asked, “why can’t I?”
If you know Jesus as your Savior, then the answer is YES! You have the strength of Christ Himself to do whatever God calls you to do.
“All things” refers to anything God desires for your life. J. Vernon McGee wrote, “Whatever Christ has for you to do, he will supply the power. Whatever gift he gives you, he will give the power to exercise that gift. A gift is a manifestation of the spirit of God in the life of the believer. As long as you function in Christ, you will have power ...."
Note the little phrase “through Christ.” Paul’s doing is dependent on his relying on Christ. “Through Him” refers to our union with Christ, the continuous action of drawing life and sustenance from Jesus Himself.
Am I living in a healthy union with Jesus? Is my relationship growing every day? If not, what will we do about it so that, one year from now, we will be stronger then than we are today?
