I Can Do!

Once there were two Rottweiler puppies. The first, Tipper, was a fierce protector.

When she was all of twelve weeks old, she firmly planted herself between her human mom and a large 250 pound man who had the audacity to step into the yard. Her tiny stance spoke volumes, “To get to her, you gotta get through me first.”

We imagined her parents had repeatedly whispered in her ear, “You’re a big, strong Rottie. You never need to be afraid.”

The other puppy, Minna, was timid and shy, especially around other dogs. She once met a ten pound dog on the trail near our home and all fifty pounds of her quaked behind her people’s legs.

When she would visit the local doggie day care, we would see her on the screen of the ‘little dog’ play yard. Even through she was by then eighty pounds, she played with the “under forty” crowd!

We imagined her parents must have whispered, “It’s a big, scary world out there. Be very careful,  baby.”

Our Heavenly Father lovingly whispers something to us: His promise from Philippians 4:13. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (NLT)

I.

I can do everything through Christ. Not just my pastor. Not just a spiritual mentor or someone whose past is pretty. I.

Can do. There’s no might in there. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Everything. Not just some things. Not just most things. Everything. Even the hard things. Even the things that look impossible. If He’s called us to it, He’ll provide exactly what we need to do it.

Through Christ. This power comes through Christ, not from me, through my abilities or through my talents. I can’t get there relying on me. I must rely on Christ.

We must listen for the promises of our Heavenly Father, even above the noise of this world. Even above the shouts inside our minds.

What does our Heavenly Father whisper to His beloved child? “You can do everything through Christ who gives you strength.”

Even in this big, scary world.