If you ask a random person to quote a Bible verse, chances are we can guess which verse it could be. In fact, if I was a betting woman (which I’m not– I only gamble with Jesus dollars because after 7 years of ministry, I’ve got lots of those) I would put money on that the quoted verse would like be one of the following:
John 3:16~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Jeremiah 29:11~ “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Philippians 4:13~ “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Those are three very popular (and rightfully so, because they are mighty powerful!) verses. But for today, I want to share some minister/milspouse/mama musings on that last verse, Philippians 4:13.
Now, this verse has probably been used for, well, everything. It’s printed on shirts, coffee mugs, those rubbery-bracelet things (Yes, I have one– but it came in a pack with 3 other verses I couldn’t live without). It’s found at the end of email signatures and probably quoted in the locker room of many championship games.
A while back, I was trying to be all motivated-mama and thus loaded up the Tiny Humans because our eldest was in need of new running shoes. Unfortunately, I forgot that shoe stores don’t usually have shopping carts. Annnnd I forgot to bring the stroller.
The moment we walked into the shoe store, my sweet Toddler Son transformed into a creature that could only be described as the love-child of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and King Kong. He began running, roaring and swinging his arms, grabbing every available shoebox whenever I would let go of his hand or put him on the floor.
Naturally, the Kindergartener fueled the situation by laughing, roaring back and not focusing AT ALL on the task at hand.
It didn’t take much and I was sweating. (I said sweating, not swearing. Just making sure you are awake). We finally found a pair of shoes for our daughter that didn’t cost eleventy billion dollars (Sorry, not sorry– I love my children but no way on this planet am I buying them shoes that cost as much as mine, especially considering the likelihood of them keeping track of both shoes for an extended period of time is minimal). I made my way to the checkout and sighed heavily.
As I reached for my wallet, I did a spot check on the children. The Kindergartener had the Toddler pinned in some sort of WWE (or is it WCW? NWO?) leg-wrestling move.
I looked at the ceiling and that verse came into my mind: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” immediately followed by the less-than-spiritual thought of “But I bet Paul didn’t go shoe shopping.”
I jest. I know Paul faced way more tough stuff than shoe shopping with a T-Rex Tanker Toddler and a sassy, antagonistic Kindergartener. I mean, he was beaten, stoned nearly to death, bitten by a snake, blinded, shipwrecked, arrested on more than one occasion and finally martyred for his faith.
Shoe shopping isn’t even close to the trials he faced. BUT… God does care about our everyday mundane struggles and frustrations. I couldn’t help but laugh at the expressions from my kids as they lay there by the checkout counter in the shoe store. And I couldn’t help but laugh at how God gave me this extremely popular verse in that moment of chaos (and sweat).
Bottom line: We don’t have to be some awesomely profound historical biblical figure to tap into God’s strength. His power is always ready to work within us, whether we are running a marathon, sharing the gospel, or yes, even shopping for shoes with a miniature T-Rex.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9
