Head for the Hills!
Puffs of smoke billow out of the train’s smoke stack—forming silhouettes against the horizon. The wheels and mechanics are strained to the highest level as it rolls up the railway tracks. Sparks flying from the exertion of metal-to-metal—causing a fundamental force of friction.
A job meant for larger. Bigger. Stronger. A little train engine trying to make it up a high mountain.
The Little Engine Who Could, by Watty Piper is a children’s story that has been around since 1930. Against great odds, a small train heads for the hills in trying to make it up a high mountain. On a mission. A motivational phrase ensues, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”
A story of reaching for greater things. Motivating us as kids to believe in ourselves—we can do it—if “we think we can.” To reach for our dreams, aspire to do great things in life, help a worthy cause, and work hard at reaching our full potential.
While this is a wonderful storyline and true inspiration to many of us in our own childhood; as Christ followers, we believe in God—in His ability.
Yes, we work and we work hard—while we rely on God—for God is able!
“Trust in the name of the Lord and rely on…God.” Isaiah 50:10b
God’s ability in the life of a believer is a truth-based principle—a wonderful storyline repeated over and over in the old and new testaments of the Bible. A true inspiration we read about in scripture, desire to internalize as adults, and pass on to our children—all children. Why? Because we know God can…
- Calm the storms in life: devastation from a broken relationship, loss of job, or financial struggles.
- Bring Healing: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
- Do the impossible: perform miracles as the all-powerful God.
- Be ever present in times of need: marriage difficulties or loss of a loved one.
- Work all things for our good: hardships, hurts, and acts of evil against us.
- Give us strength for life tasks: pursuits of dreams, education, work, ministry, and life activities.
- Give us wisdom for decisions: where, how, what, and the why in daily living.
- Win the battle: in our present struggles, in spiritual warfare, and in righteousness.
God helps us make it up the mountains in life! And there are mountains we must climb. We can’t do it alone—in our own power. Our internal engine needs assistance from a greater mechanic. A complete tune-up or an entire overhaul. A regular maintenance program from a greater power. The Holy Spirit’s fundamental force in our lives—a job meant for larger. Bigger. Stronger.
“This is the word of the Lord…not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of Hosts…who are you, O great mountain?” Zechariah 4:6-7
“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” Isaiah 42:8
Head for the hills and let’s get started…
Ready. Set. Go! “I know God can, I know God can, I know God can, I know God can, I know God can…”
God Can!
© 2014 by Karen Friday
