When my nephew was a toddler, he adored jumping over the waves at the beach. Let me clarify, as it’s abnormal for two-year-olds who can hardly walk to jump over anything, let alone rushing walls of water. He used to adore letting me hold him up by his arms while helping him jump over waves. He didn’t do much. He’d just hold his hands in the air, and I’d lift him as a wave roared towards the shore and under his feet. He’d laugh as we repeated this process until my arms were numb.
If he tried to do this salt-water stunt without me, he’d have been swept out to sea. His performance was dependent upon my assistance.
Just like a toddler in the ocean, you won’t be able to flourish on your own. If you try to thrive in life by your own strength, then you will inevitably fall down or fall short. We must realize that we need help. Paul suggests that all the help you need has been provided for you. We can see a powerful parallel to this principle in Paul’s writing to the Galatians. The apostle writes, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2:20).
This is a mind-blowing message. Paul is saying that God doesn’t just empower you, but His power flows from within you. Just like my nephew who needed my help to jump the waves, you need God’s help to get over life’s hurdles. The good news is that “Christ lives in you.” This means that He works through you. You don’t have to muster up the strength on your own because the strength of God is active within you.