I Could Never Do That

This is one of the most truthful phrases ever spoken and one of the greatest irritations of my life.

I cringe when I hear someone says those words. “I could never do that.”

Granted, they are good to say about murder or some of the horrendous things people do to each other. We all should say these words.

However, I don’t hear them in that context. I hear them spoken when someone sees another do something difficult or courageous or inspiring. Then after watching what someone else has done another person says, “I could never do that.”

Here is what makes that phrase true. All of the courageous, difficult, inspiring things that have ever been done for the sake of another, we could not have done on our own. It is true that “we could never do that” when “that” is something for the sake of another. Here are a few examples in my own life.

I could never be the husband Alisa deserves.
I could never preach.
I could never love unselfishly.
I could never become humble.
I could never give anything way without expecting something in return.
I could never be the Dad John deserves.

I could never do that if it was up to me. I would fail. I have failed.

BUT, to continue to say these words as a follower of Jesus Christ ignores His presence and power within our lives. And really, what we are saying is not “I could never do that” but instead “I would never do that. I don’t want to, so I won’t.” It is not an issue of can or can’t when God is involved. It is an issue of will or want.

Paul says it as clearly as anyone. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

God can heal your marriage. God can heal the sick. God can speak through you. God can protect you from sin. God can take you to Africa. God can love the unlovable. God can give sight to the blind. God can give hope to the hopeless. God can. And because God can, so can we. We are His. He works through us. You could do that. You could do anything if it is what God wants you to do.

If God can, I can. Enough said.