I Can Do All Things

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, was a verse that I kept repeating over and over again as I raced the 26.2 mile marathon course. I had trained hard over the last several weeks and felt I could break the 3 hour time limit to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  At the time of the race I was involved with an organization called the Navigators and scripture memory was a requirement of our bible study group. I had easily memorized this verse and quoted it often to my friends who would check me on my latest verse. The topic that this verse was associated with was “His Strength,” and I always assumed Christ gave me the strength to do all things because that’s how I memorized it. I had read it on coffee cups, book markers, wall plaques, and on this particular day I had it written on my wrist as I crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 40 minutes. It wasn’t until years later did I learn what this verse actually meant when taken in the right context. As the author puts it, “it is not so much about having the strength to stand up and sing a solo in church…this verse is about having the strength to be content when we are facing those moments in life when physical resources are minimal.” We serve a God who is in absolute control over every situation in life we face, He knows our every need and has promised to meet them in Christ. Paul learned the secret to contentment because he understood the very nature of Christ and had experienced His grace and mercy first hand. Understanding this verse has given me the ability to live a life pleasing to God, knowing that He supplies my every need (Phil 4:19). Knowing that in times of plenty He’s there, but also understanding when times of need arise, he is also there to provide me the spiritual strength to rely on Him to meet those needs. It’s not all about chasing the dream, but learning to be content with what He has provided for me.