MAY 30, 2014
Jordyn’s
Journey
Read: Philippians
4:10-13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13
Jordyn Castor was born
blind. But this doesn’t hold her back from living a full and productive life.
The documentary Can You See How I See? tells her story. She excels at school
and with a little help she enjoys biking and downhill skiing.
Of her sight, Jordyn
says: “If I could give my blindness back, I wouldn’t do it. I think God made
all of us the way we are for a reason . . . and I think my blindness is part of
what I am going to do with my life.” She is now a university student majoring
in computer technology. Her dream is to assist in developing new computer
software that will help the blind.
How can Jordyn
maintain such a positive outlook on life? As a Christ-follower, she understands
that God is in control of the circumstances of life. This gives her confidence
to pursue opportunities that others might not have believed possible.
Certainly, Jordyn’s life illustrates this truth from Philippians: “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13).
No matter what our
strengths or weaknesses might be, God’s providential hand can give us what we
need to make a difference for Him in our world. Rely on His strength to help
you as you take a step of faith.
“I will strengthen,”
so take courage,
Child of God, so weak
and frail;
God has said so, and
it must be,
For His promise cannot
fail! —Anon.
God’s call to a task
includes His strength to complete it.
Insight
The spiritual vitality
and confidence found in the inspiring words of today’s text have sustained the
faith of believers for hundreds of years. Here Paul wrote, “I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me” (v.13). When we read these words we also
need to take into consideration their context. Paul, while unjustly
incarcerated for his faith, has just received a gracious gift from the
congregation in Philippi. The apostle sees a pattern of grace provision in this
generous gift. He has learned to rejoice in plenty and to be thankful and
satisfied in want. The reason for this is that Jesus Christ, who indwells him
and who engineers life’s circumstances, provides him with the power to be
resilient in whatever circumstance he must face.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
