Joshua, our 11-month-old son was born during the first lockdown. For those who haven’t experienced what a lockdown baby could be like, I must say they (or perhaps just Joshua) could be quite clingy. Joshua will not go to anyone else except his mother, and recently, as he has been weaned of milk, he has become even more attached. As his father, it took a while for him to gradually start warming up to me again, which was a surprise because I thought I gave the best hugs!
Just over a month ago, Joshua started standing with some support. We have encouraged him to take baby steps, but it appears he is not ready yet.
A couple of days ago, Odelia was with Joshua in the living room when she realised she needed to pick something up from upstairs. She quickly run upstairs, and as soon as Joshua saw his mum leave the room, he started crying and crawling towards the stairs. To our surprise, before Odelia got to the top of the stairs to walk down, Joshua had crawled and pulled himself two stairs up as I stood behind him, ready to catch him.
This is a boy who has not started walking yet and has only started to stand with support. However, so great was his motivation to be with his mother that he was able to find the strength and courage to drag himself up the stairs. By the way, we are getting a stair gate soon!
Similarly, often we underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. We could focus on our inadequacies and weaknesses, perceiving our troubles and challenges to be greater than our strength or ability to overcome. While this may be true in a sense, the reality is that for every believer, there is extra grace, extra strength, extra comforting of the Spirit and empowerment available to us through Christ.
In light of this truth, Paul said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” Ephesians 1:3. Again he said, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.
Therefore, it is not in our strength that we overcome, but in the strength of the Lord as he empowers us by His Spirit. When you feel overwhelmed by the cares and troubles of this world, remember to walk in the power of the Spirit of God. When the enemy seeks to attack you through your weaknesses, remember to resist him in the power of the Spirit of God and in the name of Jesus. For whatever life throws at you, God’s grace is sufficient for you, as you walk in the power of the Spirit.
Be encouraged!
Blessings,
Chris Eke
