“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
We all need some encouragement from time to time. Think about runners in the middle of a race. Onlookers usually shout things like “You got this!” or “You’re doing great!” as the runners pass by. It helps to know that someone out there believes in us as we are plodding along. However, no matter how hard the crowd cheers, they take no participation in the race. It is all up to the racer and his/her ability to continue.
God, however, offers a different kind of encouragement. As we ‘run our race,’ we may desire to hear from Him about how strong we are and how great we’re doing. But He doesn’t shout those encouragements as we run by. Because in truth, we don’t have it and we aren’t enough. Instead, God does the unthinkable: He doesn’t stay on the sideline, He jumps into the race with us and says “I see that you are struggling and you’re not going to finish this race on your own. Run with me. I got this. I am enough.”
We try to take our righteousness onto our own shoulders, only to drop it over and over again. It can be discouraging. But our righteousness is no longer our burden to bear. “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things…that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Phil 3:8-9). Our righteousness doesn’t come from us and our ability, it is provided through Christ’s perfection. It really isn’t that encouraging to hear how good and strong we are because eventually we won’t be. We will never overcome the world. We will never defeat Satan. But our God has already done both. The true encouragement comes when Jesus says “Take Heart! For I have overcome the world…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (John 16:33 & Matt 28:20).
For the next several weeks on Wednesdays, I’m going to share with you some encouragement to help you get through the week. However, I’m not going to talk about how strong, smart, or able you are. We’re going to look how God offers Himself as the source of strength, wisdom, and ability.
Take heart! God is with you!!