"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Do you remember the story of the little engine that could? I think most people that grew up in the states, grew up hearing this tale. Do you realize the first publishing of this story was called, "Story of the Engine that Thought It Could", appearing in the New York Tribune, 8 April 1906, as part of a sermon by the Rev. Charles S. Wing. A short story that has lasted throughout many lifetimes and adapted even by a Walt Disney's classic. In the 1941 Disney movie "Dumbo" the work train taking the circus animals to their destination pulls its cargo up a hill repeating the well known saying "I-Think-I-Can-I-Think-I-Can" and rolls down the hill saying "I-Thought-I-Could-I-Thought-I-Could".
We are often that work train aren't we? We start our journey with full on enthusiasm and then we reach a hilltop that just seems so steep or an obstacle that seems too wide to get beyond and our story quickly changes from I think I can to I thought I could and just like that our journey ends, incomplete. Why? There are a number of scriptures in the word that focus on strength but I haven't found one that says quit, give up there is no hope. Just the opposite, we are reminded time and time again that our strength comes for the Lord and in our weakness he restores our strength. Do we really understand that? Do we get what our father is trying to tell us? He's telling us there is NOTHING impossible for him, nothing. But somehow we want to try to rely on our own strength when we are broken, tired and weak. He tells us in Isaiah that "he gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" When we are about to reach that mountain top and the incline seems more than our "little engine" can handle, GOD gives us strength and increases the power in our weakness. Do you get that? It's not by our strength that we accomplish anything, it's only through the divine strength that we are given and blessed with each day.
I know too many times I've pressed forward in a mission God has called me into only to find myself sliding backwards down the hill because I try to rely on MY understanding and MY strength and MY... fill in the blank. I fail and I fail big when I do this. God gently reminds me that it's not about me or what gifts or talents I have, it's about his calling on my life and the gifts he calls me to use at an appointed time. Without the anointing of the holy spirit moving my little engine, I end up stuck on the track unable to move forward. Philippians 4:13 tells us that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Isaiah 41:10 tells us, "... I will strengthen you and help you...", Psalm 29:14 says, "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Exodus 15:2 says, "The Lord is my strength and my song..." On and on the scriptures tell us of his strength and how we can walk boldly and with confidence because we are strengthen through Christ.
What condition is your "little engine" in today? Are there tracks lying ahead that you fear, hesitant to jump onto because you don't feel you are equipped, ready for the journey? Are you sliding back down that mountaintop or do you think you can...think you can....think you can through the strength and power afforded to you from God the father? Is the Holy Spirit fueling your train bound for glory or are you trying to run on the fumes of this world leaving you stranded in the middle of the track?
Blessings,
Heather
