I can. I will. Watch me.

Six words my cycling trainer provided for motivation on a recent endurance ride.

Six words that – on the surface – sound very motivating, but…what about those times when my legs just can’t keep up with the expected cadence or what about those mornings when my brain just won’t get out of bed and on the bike?

What about those days when “watch me” feels more like “watch me fail”?

Sweet friends, while I’ve no doubt my trainer meant well by her words of encouragement, I can’t help but recognize how hollow, how terribly misleading those little phrases can be.

Are we designed to do hard things?

Yes. God made our bodies and our minds to work hard.

Are we capable of great things?

Truly we are. God has set aside great things for each of us to do.

But are we designed to do them of our own power?

Absolutely not.

There are things we cannot do that only God can do:

• Eternal salvation.
• Conquering death.
• Miraculous healing.
• Diverting storms.

There are things we just won’t do that God will do:

• Help us forgive others or ourselves when we can’t muster up forgiveness.
• Overcome us with compassion when we aren’t willing to feel.
• Give ourselves or others another chance when we’ve run out of chances to give.

Dear heart, the truth of the matter is that the last thing you or I want is for anyone to “watch me” or to “watch you”.

Sure, we’re nice people who try hard to be like Jesus, but we are also flawed people. There are times we can’t do or won’t do and there are times we are simply not the ones to watch. BUT GOD – great is His name and full of glory – God can and He will and He is worthy of being watched at all times.

Instead of “I can. I will. Watch me”, may we remember to say:

“He will give me strength so I can do His will. Watch what He will do.”