As I was growing up, my favorite children’s story was
‘The Little Engine that Could’ attributed to Mabel C. Bragg,
a teacher in Boston, Massachusetts.
The gist of the story is that a long train must be
pulled over a high mountain. Larger and more powerful
engines are asked to pull the train but for various
reasons they refuse. At last in desperation the train
asks the little switch engine to take it up the mountain
and down on the other side. “I think I can,” puffed the
little locomotive, as it attaches itself to the front of
the great heavy train. The other engines all mock the
little engine for trying, but that did not stop the little
engine.
As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster
and faster, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”
Then as it near the top of the mountain, that had so
discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly, but still
kept saying, “I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can,
I--think--I--can.” It reached the top of the mountain through
its brave, persistent effort. Then going down the other side,
the little engine congratulated itself saying, “I thought
I could, I thought I could.” By chugging on with his motto
I-think-I-can, the engine succeeded in pulling the train
over the mountain.
Without realizing it, children seem to adopt one of two operating
philosophies of life from this story. Some of them look at life
and just like the larger and more powerful engines they make all
sorts of excuses because in the back of their minds they are
thinking “I don’t think I can. I don’t think I can.” It does
not matter what opportunities come their way, they still believe
“I don’t think I can.” This attitude prevents them from
taking risks and holds them back from stepping out in faith
to attempt great things for God. They let their fear of
failure slowly chip away at God’s work within them. They
need revival!
In the Bible we see this in the story of Jesus walking on
the water. Eleven of the disciples stayed huddled in the
boat. They were afraid to take the risk and try to walk on
the water toward Jesus.
Why are those with this operating philosophy - “I cannot do
it.” - failing? Because for years they have had the wrong
answer.
It is not about them and what they cannot do or think that
they cannot do. Instead it is about God and what God can do.
As Paul says in Philippians 4:13…
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It is not what I cannot do. It is what Christ can do through me!
Other children become the little engine that could: “I think
I can. I think I can.” It does not matter what obstacles come
their way, they still believe “I think I can. I think I can.”
We also see this attitude in the story of Jesus walking on the
water. Peter thought he could. So in the middle of the lake
Peter stepped over the side of the boat and started to walk on
the water toward Jesus. As he took his eyes of off Jesus, he
immediately began to sink.
Someday they will finally hit a wall and discover that they can
not. Positive thinking is not the answer.
As Jack Zuflet writes…
“If goal setting, positive thinking, daily affirmations, self
talk, dream building, visualization, chanting, fire walking and
every other technique that self help guru’s preach actually
worked… then why are they failing you miserably? Why are you
failing?”
Why? Because for years they have had the wrong answer. It is not
about them. It is not about what they can do or even what they
think they can do. They are letting their own efforts slowly
chip away at God’s work within then. They need revival!
As Paul says in Philippians 4:13…
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It is not what I can do. It is what Christ can do through me.
Both responses “I think I can” and “I think I can’t” are
problematic. In both cases what needs to happen is that we need
to let go. Things will only begin to change as we begin to change.
Just as our Lord said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 he says to
each of us…
“My power is strongest when you are weak.”
God’s power is strongest when we are weak.
As long as we operate on the basis that we cannot do it and
therefore are not going to try, God doesn’t need to show up.
And as long as we operate on the basis that we can do it,
God doesn’t need to show up.
It is only when we are willing to admit we cannot do it on our own,
that we clear the path for God to be at work.
It is only when we understand that it is far beyond our own
capabilities and power, hat we clear the path for God to be at work.
It is only when we believe that with God it can be done,
that we clear the path for God to be at work.
It is when we realize along with Paul…
“…when I am weak, I am strong” (v. 10)
… that we clear the path for God to be at work.
If you want personal renewal – surrender yourself.
If you desire congregational renewal – surrender your church.
For that is the way to set the stage for renewal from God. Amen
Glen VanderKloot
Reflection questions:
Which attitude is most like mine?
How can I let go so that God’s power can be strongest in my life?
