Standing Up to Life

“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13 (Common English Bible)

Joan Burns, a friend for over eleven years, recently gave me one of the most honest compliments I have received—“What I enjoy best about our friendship is watching you try to be funny!” That comment demonstrates that Joan is the one—in our relationship—who is genuinely funny. More importantly, the comment demonstrates the strength of our friendship. She doesn’t fear damaging our friendship with her candor. That strength of friendship is what we all seek—and need. It is the strength that defines my relationship with my daughter. I will make a silly comment to Rachael, followed by the self-aggrandizement, “I’m so funny!” Rachael’s simple response is, “No, you’re not!” Naturally, that has become a clever riposte between my daughter and me. Yet, Joan’s quip, “What I enjoy best about our friendship is watching you try to be funny,” has theological depth: Joan acknowledges, in her humor, that I am actually “trying!”

“I can,” begins Paul’s remark to the church in Philippi. The emphasis is not on our dependence upon God. We do not expect God to do everything for us—or we shouldn’t! There are things that we can do and ought to do. There are things we can endure, though they may not be pleasant. A runner understands this. The first mile is unpleasant for every runner, regardless of physical condition. The first mile is a liar. The first mile will plead with us to stop, that this should be a rest day. Or the lie is that we are not strong enough or the weather isn’t ideal for running. Runners are familiar with the lies of the first mile. So, runners endure the lies and continue into the second mile, where the lies are eventually silenced. Our Christian faith calls forth the same endurance. Our faith does not release us from making the best effort within us. We can face difficulties and obstacles that find their way into our lives. It is simply a decision to stand up to life.

But there is more in Paul’s comment to the Philippian Church. The “I can” is matched by strength from God. First comes the resolve that we will stand up to life and make every effort within us to do so. Obstacles, setbacks, and losses will be met with our determination to move through them. That determination will then realize a surge of power that comes from without—the power of the one who gives uncommon strength, the risen Christ. Just as a runner endures the lies of the first mile, the second mile presents new strength for the road ahead. God’s strength always comes alongside our effort, the “I can.” But our own effort comes first. The first mile must be endured. As we approach the end of that first figurative mile of difficulty, a new spiritual confidence emerges that touches every area of one’s manner, disposition, and attitude toward life. The notion of “I can” is not a hope or wishful thinking. It is established upon God’s promise of strength.

The stiffest challenge of life is not questioning God’s presence when we need God. It isn’t asking God to rescue us from difficulty or straighten things out for our family. The stiffest challenge of life is to stop viewing God as a blue genie available to grant our wishes or as a cosmic servant that makes the rough places smooth. God is available to pull us together when we fall into despair and to build upon our own determination to instill courage, strength, and guidance for where we place our next step. God’s desire is that we stand up to life with the confidence that we don’t stand alone. Every success, every accomplishment, every step into the second mile of our life will be through the power of the one who gives strength. Paul’s words here, “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength,” renews courage when life becomes difficult. Repeated often, these words will become a vital part of surviving that first mile.

Joy,