Original: January 2, 2008
McMinnville, OR
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… Colossians 1:9-11
It is early January and as expected I was surrounded at the gym by more people working out than I have ever seen. I knew it was coming. It happens every year at this time as people resolve to lose their holiday pounds and get “back” into shape. Years ago I read that the average resolution lasts only 16 days but it takes, on average, two months to form a habit. If this is true by January 16th the gym will be back to normal, except for the faithful few are truly committed to forming the fitness habit. I hope I am wrong but history proves that the majority will soon disappear into the Rolodex cards of “Gym Members”.
Quitting exposes our weaknesses.
Quitting exposes a loss of power, whether it is a car engine, New Years resolution, marriage, or faith. The loss of power is the end of effort, which results in quitting. If quitting results from a loss of power, then finishing with “great endurance” is a result of being “strengthened with all power” (NASB).
Following Jesus on a consistent, faithful basis is the most difficult thing I have ever done. It is so easy to coast and let my line go slack, but the only way in the universe to posses “all power” is to go to the source of the power-Jesus Christ the Lord.
There is a problem with power. Power has the propensity to diminish over time. How does a man “renew his strength” (Isaiah 40:310)? Major League pitchers get tired and need relief. Cars need gasoline and regular maintenance. Guns need ammunition. Workers need a vacation. Faith in Jesus must be recharged on a regular basis.
God is the source of all power but the human vessel, like a rechargeable battery, cannot hold its spiritual charge forever. It must plug into the Source to keep the power high. Paul must have realized this when he said, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Taking this logic and working backwards it becomes clear that the way a man possesses the “great endurance” necessary to finish strong (2 Timothy 4: 6-7) is to be filled “day by day” by his greatest source of power.
Maybe that is what Jesus meant when He taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Mathew 6:11).
