I Can’t. It Is Not In Me.

The following is adapted from one of the weekly memos that Byron sends to approximately 200+ staff and their families.

This morning, I feel compelled to share a simple truth that the Lord is using in my own heart right now. It comes right from the Scriptures, in Genesis 41:15-16.

As a child, the phrase "I can't" was taboo. My parents' intent was admirable. They simply wanted me to tackle difficult tasks, hoping the net result would be self-confidence.

In the Scriptures, if anyone should have had self-confidence, it was Joseph. He successfully interpreted four dreams. As far as we know, Joseph's success rate was 100%. All victories. No defeats. It was a perfect record that could have led to a measure of self-sufficiency. He could have even marketed a "Know Your Dream!" service.

Pharaoh offered an opportunity for Joseph to widely publicize his services when he asked Joseph for help in understanding his own dream. After all, when the most powerful leader in the world wants your services, why not take a little credit and let others know it is available to them as well? Pharaoh's endorsement was:

I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.

Three Response Options

By now it would seem reasonable for Joseph to have concluded, "I can; after all, I have four straight wins." Or he could have thought, "I can with God's help." But Joseph's response stopped with a simple, "It is not in me." In others words, "I can't. But God can!"

I can - INDEPENDENCE

I can with God's help - INTERDEPENDENCE

I can't, but God can - DEPENDENCE

I don't want this application of truth or my experience to determine my theology. But I do know that I feel the weight of stress and pressure lifted whenever I acknowledge to the Lord, "I can't, but You can." 

Not With but Through

Right now, people in our lives are facing tough situations and decisions, both personally and on the job. Deadlines. Inadequate financing. Enemy attack. Strained relationships. Deep loss. Fears. Uncertain future. And a myriad of other challenges.

I'm reminded that when things are going well, there's danger in assuming we can do something successfully again, or in assuming we have something to do with the blessing in our lives ... even though we know, deep down, that it has come entirely from the hand of a merciful God.

Phil. 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ" (not with Christ).

Acts 17:28, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (not with Him).

How Do I Know?

What singular gauge in our lives reveals the level of our dependency on God? Prayer. Leonard Ravenhill spoke directly to this when he was sharing with our staff 23 years ago:

We have become so self-sufficient we don't have to pray.
We have become so self-satisfied we don't want to pray.
We have become so self-righteous we don't pray.

Based on how much you (and I) have genuinely prayed since January 1, how would God define your life?

Independent?

Inter-dependent?

Dependent?

Let's grow in dependency on God, together!

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