[353 words]
I remember back in my 9th grade English class, one of my assignments was to make an “eye can.” The teacher asked each one of us in the class to bring to school an empty and clean vegetable can. When the day arrived to complete the “eye can” assignment, she asked each of us to draw an “eye” on a piece of paper and then wrap the paper around the can. She wanted each of us to keep that can either in our backpacks or our locker and when we complained about not being able to do something or complete a task, we were supposed to look at the “eye can” and be reminded that we could complete the task at hand.
The apostle Paul gives each Christian that same “eye can” encouragement in Philippians 4:13. This verse reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I: Because of the first person pronoun “I,” the reader automatically becomes part of the verse.
I can: Saying, “I can” leaves out any “I think,” “I might,” “I could,” or “I should.”
I can do: When we say, “I can do,” what we mean to suggest is that we can put our lives into action with confidence. It is not just a passing thought.
I can do all things: Everything within righteous reason is possible with the right attitude.
I can do all things through: There is a powerful source through which we can accomplish much. It is not beside of, over, or under. It is through.
I can do all things through Christ: Christ is the central force through whom all righteous things can be accomplished.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me: Last but not least, the reader is not only encouraged by the strength that Christ provides, but by the strength He provides on an individual basis, (adapted from “From My Heart to Yours,” Jason Hart)
Each of us can have an “eye can” spirit. However, this spirit or attitude can only be truly accomplished “through Christ” and his strength as Paul has given to us.
Lance Morrisett
Hooker Church of Christ
Hooker, OK