“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ” – Phil. 4:13
I just read the following story that ought to give every Christian hope for their hardships. In 1924 a group of explorers tried to climb Mount Everest and failed. They attempted twice to tackle the mountain but with no success. The group lost two of its members in the second effort. After the failed endeavor they met with a group of supporters in London to raise funds for yet another expedition.
On stage, one of the hikers stood up and gave a rousing speech of determination. He was persuaded that his team could indeed conquer the mountain if given enough time and support. He closed his remarks by stating, “Mount Everest cannot grow larger, but we can.”
The obstacles we face and the mountains we climb can sometimes appear daunting and unmovable. The one advantage we have however is that we can grow, we can get stronger, and we can become wiser. It takes a spirit of resolve and faith to climb the mountains of life. Our failures can actually become our successes if we properly glean from our experiences.
Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Walk up the mountain one more time. Everest doesn’t get any bigger, but you can!
Too often we focus on our ability, or the lack thereof, rather than our availability. The fact is, when we make ourselves available God will make us able. Living the Christian life is not about us making changes, but by us being changed. 2 Cor. 3:18 makes it clear that God is the change agent. It is He who enables us to change and conform to His will for our life which is Christ-likeness. When we make ourselves available God makes us able and adequate. Surrender always produces success. He gives us courage for any challenge, victory over any vice, success in any situation, power over every problem, and joy throughout our journey. With Him all things are possible and without Him we can do nothing ( John 15:5). As Paul said, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” ( Rom. 8:37) – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
