All Things Through Christ

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Shortly after I had enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces I was surprised to find myself in a training course for Non Commissioned Officers (NCO'S). I was not prepared for this and it was scary. The worst part was to run an obstacle course loaded down with equipment, rifle and all. Half way through this course there was a stretch of water. We had to grasp a rope that was to be tossed back by the fellow ahead of us and hang on to it, swing all the way across this water and keep going for the rest of the course. Not to make it would be disastrous. It was at this time that I remembered those words of St. Paul "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," I repeated them endless times during those years and I still find them as helpful as ever. At the same time I keep wondering how to explain this remarkable fact of our faith in a meaningful way. Here is my most recent attempt.

A friend of mine writes mystery novels for youth available from Scholastic Publishers. Bookstores are supposed to have them as well as local schools. Our granddaughter Georgina loves those books, but despite several attempts her Dad was not able to find any of them. He appealed to me. At once I contacted the author Robert Sutherland, and requested a complete set for her. He packed the books and mailed them promptly. For a happy Georgina it was her Grandpa that got the books, but that was only half the story. That I got the books through Robert Sutherland is the full story. I had something to do but it was the author and producer that made the whole transaction possible. He did the essential part. So it is with Christ. We have our many things to do but it is through Christ alone that we can get the specific help we need to do all those things.

Prayer: O Lord our God, creator of all things and the source of help for our every need, quicken our faith, we pray, and increase our trust, so that with your apostle Paul and your true servants in every age we too can say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In His name we pray. Amen.