I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

In my house, I need a light on at night. Without it, knickknacks will end up on the floor and my toes will kick too many chairs. Yes please. give me some light. I have no capability of creating light, but I can flip the switch on the wall, and that does the trick! Whining that I can’t see won’t miraculously send light, but turning on the switch will. The electricity flowing to the lightbulb brings the power to make the light come on. But until the switch is turned, that electric current will never come.

Remember when Jesus’ disciple, Peter, walked on water? As he sat in the wave-battered boat, he suddenly saw Jesus walking on the raging sea towards them. Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” I would have been content to stay in the boat, but Peter wanted to walk over to Jesus! His call to Jesus wasn’t, “Jesus, teach me Your trick!” (If Peter’s feet stayed atop the water, it wouldn’t be because of Peter’s skill.) I think Peter knew that if the Lord called him to walk to Him, the very call would carry the promise that God would also enable Peter to do it! So Peter said, “Tell me to come…”. Jesus called, and Peter walked. Jesus’ call gave Peter assurance.

Jesus calls you and I to do the things He has for us. I can tell you that my abilities have never measured up to what He’s asked of me. (Rather, they’ve more been on par with Peter’s own water-walking skill.) When the Lord calls us, He doesn’t always expect us to know how to go about answering His call. He just says, “Will you?” I think we sometimes fear that our “yes” should mean we have figured out the “how”. I mean, my personal zone of comfort requires answers to my questions along with detailed blueprints. (Doesn’t yours?) Otherwise I could fail! But Jesus just wants a “yes”. He’s delighted with our honest, “I don’t know how and I’ll need You to supply, but yes!” God calls. I say yes.

Just as electricity only flows to light the room as I flip on the switch, my “yes” to the Lord is me flipping a switch. I say yes, and He sends His power to enable me to whatever He has asked of me.

I love the Amplified version of Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose–I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

Don’t you love that? “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency!” What else could our yes require? And we can and should give Him our yes, because we are filled with His Spirit, and He’s promised to strengthen us. 

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand…For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ 

Father God, how many times have I withheld my “yes” due to fear of failure? How many times have I evaluated my own capabilities or wisdom and found myself incapable? How many times have I waited for the strength to arrive before answering “yes”? When You promise, “I will help you”, that’s all I need! There could never be a greater Helper. I’m sure that just like the manna that arrived every morning to Your children in the wilderness, the strength I need will come right on time as I continue to follow Your call. Thank You for being such a tenderhearted Father. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. Truly Your faithfulness to me is great, and it makes my heart rich! I love you!