An Open Can!

It has been said that you can’t keep a good man down. When I consider such individuals I can’t help but think of the Apostle Paul. He had a marvelous way of looking at things. If there was ever an optimist it was him. He had zeal for the truth. He had enthusiasm for his ministry. He had a power to press on regardless of what he faced. He maintained an openness to the hand of God working in and through his life. And with such an attitude, God used Paul in powerful ways.

I came across the following clipping from an old church bulletin:

Did is a word of achievement.
Won’t is a word of retreat.
Might is a word of bereavement.
Can’t is a word of defeat.
Ought is a word of duty.
Try is a word of each hour.
Will is a word of beauty.
Can is a word of power.
(Author Unknown)

Regardless of what Paul faced, he maintained the following resolve:
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” (Philippians
4:13 ESV)

Paul had a will to work for God. He was willing to be used by God in reaching out with the Good News of Jesus. His power was not his own. The power Paul knew and relied upon was beyond himself, and so, for him, CAN was truly a word of power.

There are a lot of things we CAN do. However, are we willing? And is the power of God associated with the CAN? May we willingly submit to God that our life will be useful for His service. And as we do so, let us remember it is not our own strength on which we have to depend. Rather, because God is with us and for us we CAN do what He has called us to do.

Have a great day WITH GOD’S POWER IN OUR CAN!
Carl

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