Thursday, September 27, 2007
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
WITNESSING CHRIST: EVEN THOUGH IT'S HARD
"It's too hard! I just can't do it!"
These are phrases that many frustrated and discouraged children have proclaimed to their parents. Often times, they can do it and it is not too hard for them. They just need a little help and encouragement.
Well, let's face it; it's not just children who feel like this. These are the kind of discouraging sentiments that find their way into the lives of adults as well. We might not come right out and say it, but these may be the very thoughts in our heads and even the prayers of our hearts. Have we ever uttered a prayer goes something like this: "Lord, I just can't do this."?
One of the things that many of us find difficult is witnessing Christ. As much as we want to do this, and as much as we know we should be doing this, we get scared and we doubt ourselves. We even feel that we just can't do it.
Sometimes we may feel, "Well, witnessing just isn't my gift. There are others who are far more gifted than I am." It's true that God has given some people remarkable gifts and abilities by which they are able to share their faith with others. However, does that mean we shouldn't also do this in whatever way we can when we are presented with the opportunity? Did Jesus only give His Great Commission to some of us?
The truth is that none of us can do anything good on our own without the strength that is given to us by God in the first place. So when we feel like there is something we can't do (especially something that God asks us to do), let us pray and ask for strength. God will strengthen us to do His work and to share His name with those around us. Because of the strength that is given to us by God we can say with the Apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Also, when we encounter hard things in this life, let us remember our loving Savior. Remember how hard it was for Him as He approached the cross to pay for our sins and to win our salvation. Remember how He prayed to the Father, asking if there was any other way. Remember how the Father sent an angel to strengthen Him to carry out His mission. Because Jesus has gone to the cross and accomplished this most important thing of all, and the hardest thing of all, we will also be strengthened for the hard things in this life. We will also be strengthened to do the work that we have been put here to do.
