Lessons Learned

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

As a child, my family would pile into my mom's station wagon and drive to Wisconsin to see our grandparents. It's only a 5-6 hour drive to my grandparent's house but that was an eternity in my mind at that age. To pass the time, we had our family repertoire of cassette tapes to listen to. They were Psalty the Song Book, the Donut Man, and Steve Green's children's album. It was during these trips to and from Wisconsin that I first remember hearing the verse Philippians 4.13 found in a song on Steve Green's children's album.

Growing up, I always knew that verse although I never gave it much thought. In many ways it seemed like another cliche that was tattooed on a professional athlete's bicep. In my mind, it only applied to those individuals who were out in the world, accomplishing extraordinary feats. It didn't impact my life because I was just living a simple, ordinary life.

I have gained a different perspective of that verse over the past year, especially the last few weeks here in the Dominican Republic. I finally paid closer attention to the verses preceding Philippians 4.13:

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."

It struck me that Philippians 4.13 is not meant to be just a trite answer given by those who have accomplished extraordinary deeds but it is a light at the end of the tunnel for the person who feels like darkness has overtaken him. Yes, maybe he is at his wit's end with no reason why he should have hope, but he knows that even in this low estate, he has a strength beyond measure. A strength that can only be supernatural.

We are doing well here in the DR. But after years of learning how to face plenty and abundance, we finally get the chance to face hunger and need. And in that, we know that we can do all things through him who strengthens us.