“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (Philippians 4:13 The Message Bible)
You may face obstacles in your way this week. You may have to overcome some overwhelming difficulties. You may have to override the schemes of the devil in favor of the obligation you have to stay on the narrow path of righteousness. You may have to obliterate any opinions of others that think what you are trying to do is impossible. You will outlast troubles because you know that they, troubles, don’t last always. How are you going to so all this? You can say what the younger generation used to say, “Whatever” of you can be motivated by your personal theme for the week, “I can!” Base it on today’s Scriptural reference.
And just in case it is needed, let me give you some additional motivation. A friend of mine, presently in the position of Pastor Emeritus at his church, called just to talk Friday afternoon. Whether we talked about my story, his story, history, or the story of the days of our lives in present times, God was always injected into the conversation. He asked me if I had ever heard of his sister, Ida Wynette Gray Hampton. I admitted I had not. He told me to look her up. Now it is my belief that God puts people in your path at the perfect time to point something pertinent out.
Dr. Ida Wynette Gray Hampton was the first Back graduate of Gallaudet University in 1957, three years after Brown vs. The Board of Education and the Supreme Court ended segregation, legally. Dr. Gray was deaf, but her goals were not deafened. She had that “I can” theme running as a thread through her life. She was the first Black deaf person to join a sorority, and she received her well-earned Bachelor’s Degree, and she also earned her Master’s Degree. She was a valedictorian. How did she do it? She had that “I can “ theme working for her. She taught school for 32 years at the higher education level and she advised countless of others who were striving to complete their thesis. She received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her multiple contributions. She had a motivating theme working for her, working her through any hindrance or hurdle, “I can!” And not only did she have the same theme that you will have working for you this week; she had the same Savior working it out for her. Somebody ought to say it aloud right now to support your theme, “Jesus can work it out!” And then add, “Yes, He can!
I know it’s time for you to head out to church this morning. So let me conclude by telling you: (1) Let the passage above, taken from a Bible paraphrase version and the snippet of the life of Dr. Gray motivate you. (2) Let your trust in God activate you! (3) Let the fact that you know at least one person, yours truly, is praying for you to stimulate your spiritual climb this week! Now, start off strong and commit to finishing the week strong! Say it for me, please! “I can! I can! I can!” Be blessed!
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” ―(Philippians 4:13 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King