By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Zechariah 10:12)
Read: Zechariah 10:1-11:17, Revelation 18:1-24, Psalm 146:1-10, Proverbs 30:33
Relate: “That’s OK, I’ve got this,” Famous last words. They belong right up there with, “Hey, watch this!” and “I wonder what would happen if…” I have been showing the Ice Age Christmas movie to my first and second-grade classes this week. In the movie, Sid, Peaches, and those two rodents are on the way to the North Pole to meet Santa. Peaches wants to prove to her dad that Santa really does exist. The other three want to get off the Naughty list. As they are traveling, the weather gets so bad they can barely see each other. Sid directs everyone to link up with him leading because: “I have an excellent sense of direction.” He walks them all right off a cliff.
Fortunately, Prancer happens to be there to rescue them before landing. After he carries them all to the top and everybody is introduced, he offers to lead them to the North Pole himself. Sid’s response, “That’s OK. I got this.” He then walks right off the exact same cliff.
React: The movie is obviously playing right into a typical male stereotype. Men don’t ask for directions. In fact, they shun them. We know where we are going… even when we don’t. We don’t even accept directions when they come included in the packaging. I can open that box up, look at the pieces, and figure it out all by myself. I don’t need to bother with the assembly manual. That thing is for amateurs. Three hours and one headache later…
I like to say, “By my power, I will make myself strong. By my authority, I will go wherever I wish.” Of course, I would never say that with actual words. I know how arrogant it sounds. No, I simply say it with my attitude and actions. I hate admitting that I need help. I hate needing to rely on someone else’s strength. The problem is, as long as I insist on doing it all myself I will never truly be able to tap into the strength and the authority He has guaranteed me. What tasks do I need to shoulder this year that will require His strength? What doors do I need open that will require His authority? On my own, it is not OK. I don’t got this.
He does.
Respond:
Dear God,
This coming year, help me to rely ever more on Your strength and to walk more fully under Your authority. I am tired of trying and failing to do it on my own. Give me the humility to get out of the driver’s seat. Give me the strength to admit my weaknesses. You have so much more in store for me than I am seeing. So help me to get out of the way. You got this.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
Ah, okay this was enlightening for me. Before my husband went to prison he’d say “I’m a grown man. I can handle it!” When as his caregiver I know intellectually he isn’t and couldn’t. However, I understand now where his heart wasn’t lined up either (now it is thank God!) I will use what you’ve said as an introduction to digging deeper and letting God work on us separately so our marriage will be stronger later. Thank you for a fresh perspective.
❤️
We’re not meant to do it alone
Amen !
All things are possible through Him..
Well written and makes a good point. Good writing.
Amen! ☺️ It felt as peaceful and soothing enough as we were really walking by the bank of some river.. very well written! 👌
It is when I finally say, Lord, I cannot do it by myself,” that the answers come. Wonderful post.
I needed to hear this. I have been struggling with a mountain of tasks for my PhD and the Lord has just reminded me that I need to tap into His power. With him I can do this, He got this 🙂 Thanks so much
True for me.haha
Good stuff brotha!
Thank you for this powerfully humbling post. It touched me deeply. So timely are your words. As we begin a brand New Year, may we continue to speak this truth–Lord, you got this!
Guilty of trying to do things in my own strength. Thanks for sharing this!
Yesss. God’s got this.
Awesome post. Thank you for following BrewNSpew.