I Think I Can... I Think I Can...

Flashback to 1990 something, one of my very early childhood memories..

I’m at my Aunt Cris’ house for a sleep over. My cousin and siblings are all gathered around me, we’re all sitting on the floor, intently watching “The Little Engine That Could” before bedtime. We comfortably nibble on snacks as Uncle Ray and Aunt Cris take turns blowing up the air mattress and sympathize with the little blue engine as she makes her way along the dangerous track. I don’t remember the majority of the movie; it’s been almost two decades since that night. All of us haven’t been under the same roof; let alone having a slumber party in over three years. I do however remember thinking, “Does it really help to say that over and over and over? Just keep moving, keep trying. You’ll make it, just keep going.” At the time it didn’t seem all that difficult. But as I relate the little engine’s struggle to my own journey the same advice hits me, “Keep moving, keep trying. You’ll make it, just keep going.”

The Bible is loaded with stories of people who felt the same way and cried out to God asking for deliverance, hope, peace, strength. You name it, they asked. They relied on the promise, “Ask and you shall receive.” God, Himself says, “Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” The apostle Paul who knew much more about suffering than most of us, reminds us “God is Faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” The Psalmist was filled with the faith that even though he may “walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me;  Your rod and Your staff comfort me.”

So as the track winds through the darkness of a canyon or across a rickety bridge when the pressure to persevere is high, I begin a similar mantra to the little engine’s “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..”  And a quiet voice inside says, “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am Your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” Keep moving, keep trying. You’ll make it, just keep going.