My Dad is a very strong man. Growing up on our farm, I observed him toss bales of hay onto a wagon like they were weightless. I have watched him control horses and bulls, hammer thousands of nails, and manually dig post hole after post hole. But his strength was never more evident to me than when I was a young girl and my little legs couldn’t keep up. It was then that he would gently lift me into his arms and carry me to my destination. I can still remember the thrill of him hoisting me onto his tall shoulders when the road was too long, or the hills were more than I could climb.
One question I have been asked often the past few years is where I find my strength. I can say with certainty that any strength on display has nothing at all to do with me, but in Christ’s power at work in my weakness. We are so beautifully reminded of this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Just as my Daddy would tenderly carry me when I was unable to walk any farther, my Heavenly Father has carried me through the past few years. Truly, He carries me daily.
There were times I got “too big for my britches,” tried to wiggle out of my Daddy’s arms and insist he put me down. Sometimes Dad knew that if he let me go I would get hurt, and he held me tighter. Sometimes Dad knew I needed to learn my lesson. I would struggle and realize I was better off in my father’s arms, and he would graciously pick me up again. Then I could rest, knowing without question that I could trust Dad’s strength and that he would hold me forever if I needed him to.
Not for one moment have I ever had the ability to face a single trial in my own strength. And the moment I ever think I do is when I realize just how feeble I am. Isaiah 40:29 tells us that, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”If you are weary and trying to go it alone, I urge you to run straight into the Father’s arms. He will delight in holding you and carrying you. In your weakness, He will supply His strength and all sufficient grace. He is your Abba Father and He will never let you go!