I Can Do All Things

This fall I have really enjoyed watching the show “Amazing Race.” On the show this season Bethany Hamilton and her husband are competing. In case you have never watched the show, “Amazing Race” is a reality competition show in which people compete in teams of two (usually a loved one) on a race around the world. Within each leg of the race there are some crazy tasks the teams have to complete to make it to the pit stop. Some of the tasks they do together and some they do alone. Well, this season Bethany Hamilton has been amazing. Things that you or I would think are near impossible to do with two fully functioning arms Bethany has done in a breeze.  (Side note: Bethany Hamilton has only one arm after a surfing accident when a shark bit off her arm.) Bethany has blown the competition away. It seems she never looks at a challenge in the race as one she cannot do.  Instead, she faces the challenge head on and goes for it. Amazing! There are still a couple of shows left this season and I want to encourage you to watch, even if it is only to see Bethany tackle the impossible.    

The first time I really knew about Bethany Hamilton was when I saw the movie “Soul Surfer.” When I watched the movie the first time, I was reminded of so many verses that relate to that story. The verse that still sticks out to me from the movie is Philippians 4:13. "I am able to do all things through Him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).  In "Soul Surfer," Bethany Hamilton seemed to believe wholeheartedly that she could "do all things through Him who gives her strength." She did not let her life stop with only one arm, but adapted to the situation to do great and unthinkable. Her life speaks of unbelievable belief that with God's help she could do anything she set her mind to.

How quickly do we discount this verse ourselves? We are able to do all things through Christ. How many really believe this? Do we look at a situation and think I can do this?  I can think of the many times I have discounted this verse.  Why?  Simply because I have tried to take the situation into my own hands rather than leaving it in God’s hand. My perspective is wrong. I need to change the lens I am looking through and put on the lens God sees through-nothing is impossible.

I think the hardest time to believe Phil. 4:13 is when a life changing event is going on like a new job, a move, a sickness, etc. How do we react in the midst of challenges? Prayer, trust, faith?  All of those plus more. Send God some kneemail. He checks it often!  

God does not lie and He will strengthen all those that ask. It may not always be how we think it should be, but God knows where we really need the strength. God sees the big picture. We only have a glimpse.  He wants us to trust Him and believe that we can in fact do all things with His help.
 
If we truly believe that God gives us the strength to do anything, just imagine what our lives would be like! Instead of being a generation wandering around the desert never making it to the Promised Land, we would march around the walls of Jericho the first time God asks. We would approach all things head on knowing that if God called us then God can do it when we cannot.  Our confidence and strength would not be built on man, even one that goes to the gym every day, but on eternal strength. The world would be changed by Christians living out this verse. Do not let challenges in this life keep you from relying on God. With God all things are possible.  
 
So what would you do for God if you knew you could not fail? 

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