For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Lately, I’ve been repeating that verse a lot. And it suddenly dawned on me that maybe I don’t fully grasp what it means. Is it possible that when we repeat that verse we are focusing more on the “I can do all things” part and not the “through Christ” part?
I’m pretty sure the intent of this verse isn’t that we pick something we want to do and because it says "I can do all things", that we can just do it. For example, if I decided I wanted to be a famous singer I am pretty sure that wouldn’t happen. You’d agree if you ever heard me sing. It’s not about picking some amazing goal and then believing hard enough so it happens.
The focus is really on “through Christ.” In other words, learning to lean on him, turning my eyes to him every day to get through the “all things” that cloud my view.
Maybe a paraphrase will help.
I can handle whatever life throws at me; whether it be losing it all or gaining everything because each and every day I turn my focus on Jesus who provides the strength, courage and stick-to-it frame of mind I need to sort through my crazy days.
Now, I just need to focus more on Jesus and less on the “all things” part. Easier said than done......