being able to do all things.

Philippians 4:13 (New American Standard Bible)

I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.

How many times have you seen this verse used as a favorite verse or a life's verse? Maybe it is your favorite verse during trying or difficult times. I have seen it used so many times I could not even count. But to what extent do we really believe this. Sure, we go through difficult times or look at tasks that we have been assigned and we say... "I can do all things", but do we really think it can be done.

I am sitting here watching the Star Wars Trilogy, (the original episodes IV, V, and VI), as Luke is going through his training with Yoda and his faith is so shallow. Yoda tells Luke he must feel the "force" around you and Luke states ... "you want the impossible". Then Yoda proceeds to lift the ship out of the swamp. What does Luke then say. " I don't believe it." Yoda's response, "That is why you fail." Luke tried and failed at doing it himself and became discouraged. He has seen the "force" work but for some reason he just can not commit himself to really believing it is there for him to use.

How many times do we fail when things get tough, or seem impossible? Though we use that verse (Philippians 4:13) we still do not believe it. Our faith becomes shallow. Not that we want to raise a car out of a swamp or move some other object. But we have things that come before us that are a challenge and are impossible to do on our own. We should believe that if Christ is with us and if there is any way possible for us to lift a car, stack some rocks, or whatever, that we will be able to do it.

Just as the "force" is in all objects, plants, animals and all around us so is our God. Now I know I am not exactly where I should be with my walk with God but I am trying to understand where I do need to be. I will fail and mess up, losing some of my belief at times, but I am going to keep on trying and moving forward. What we need to do with this verse is remember what follows I can do all things.... it is... through Christ, who strengthens me.

On my own there is nothing I can do. Sure I get up every day and do all sorts of things. Am I doing these on my own or is there a power out there helping me to do whatever. I have to believe that there is a God, Christ Jesus, who is allowing me to do anything and everything. Even those things that on the outside look impossible. I get down on myself lots of times when things don't go as I expect. Sometimes I try to do things that seem impossible and fail. We all do this but what we need to realize is that sometimes we just are not meant to do things at this precise moment. Maybe we need help from others or the time is just not right. It is all a matter of remembering who is really in charge of our daily lives. It is not us.

What am I trying to say in all this? I guess it is that no matter where we are in our lives we have a "force", (Christ), that is right there with us and if we depend on Him and on His strength to strengthen us we can do all things. We have heard the phrase, Let go and let God. I take letting go as realizing that I am not in charge of any situation so I need to let go of each and every one and stop trying to make things happen the way I want them to. Therefore I have to let God have His will and way in each and every situation because it is going to happen His way no matter what.