Philippians 4.13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Let’s be very clear: When scripture says, “I can do all things through him who strengthen me,” it is not referring to action in general; it is specific, obedient action that is empowered by God’s grace in our life, and it is action in response to whatever circumstance we face. Not some circumstances. Not just the easy circumstances. All circumstances.
The biblical message is this: No matter the situation, trust God’s strength and do what needs to be done. Too many times I have seen people boldly quote this verse and then fail to do what is required of them.
We must be careful not to overly spiritualize this verse, as if the Lord is talking about a narrow category of so-called “spiritual” things. Everything you do every day is important to God. He cares about how you do “all things.”
For every event, situation, or circumstance that confronts you, there is a mindset you need to embrace, biblical truth you need to apply, and action you need to take. Sometimes, what needs to be done is difficult and uncomfortable, and the Lord calls you to step up to those situations and do what is necessary but uncomfortable.
God supplies the strength for doing your work every day, irrespective of what life throws at you. This includes daily routine tasks, as well as difficult things you need to do in response to challenging circumstances. God provides empowerment for responding to the stuff of life.
There it is again … E+R=O (Event + Response = Outcome).
We serve a great God who bestows on us the strength we need to navigate the circumstances of life in a fallen world. He is not a distant and disconnected deity; he is a God who took human form and lived among us. He has experienced the brokenness of the world. He has felt the pain of the human condition. Indeed, on the cross he took upon himself all the brokenness of the world so that we might be forgiven our sin, reconciled to him, and empowered to do all things – all things — as we are confronted with the circumstances of life.
That is the vision the Lord calls you to live. That is a life lived in response to the decisive call of Jesus. That is authentic Christianity.
