The Little Engine

Remember the story of the little engine that tried to get up the hill? As long as it chugged out the words, “I think I can, I think I can” it couldn’t be stopped. White puffs of smoke poured from its stacks; the train it pulled behind it creaked and groaned; the conductor held his breath. But, the steep grade, the heavy load and its power limitations were overcome by its positive determination that it could make it. The message was simple and clear: if you think you can, you can.

The approach to a new year usually begins with the momentum of excitement and challenge. Many people roll into the first days or even weeks of January feeling pretty good about themselves. The new diet, the new resolutions, the new lifestyle, the new commitment, the new whatever seems like a piece of cake. In fact, if you had known it would be this easy, you would have done it a long time ago. Thirty-one days of unsurpassed, exhilarating success. Then, on day thirty-two, rude February happens.

February throws a cold bucket of water on all of January’s marvelous plans and progress. It turns the piece of cake into a formidable task. It takes the wind out of the sails, wipes the smile off the face, replaces the clouds under the feet with real dirt, ridicules dreams and laughs at good intentions. February asks, “WHAT were you thinking?” February’s shredders gobble up January’s goals. February proclaims itself the reality check to January’s delusions.

Okay! You see it coming. A pep-rally on paper. A back-slappin’ wake-up call. A “come-on, guy, you can do it” kind of encouragement meant to get you though the doldrums. Or, maybe a “shame-on-you”, “why are you such a weakling”, “lose the loser mentality” exhortation.

Actually, I just want to tell you that I know people who have had head-on collisions with menacing Februarys of the past and survived. They did a quick mental calculation about the meaning of God in their lives; about the likelihood of repeating the same scenario the following year if they quit; about worthiness of their goal; about the positive prospects of winning if they would just stick with it. Those who repeat the phrase, “I think I can” when it is truly based upon the promise of God’s deliverance, will discover incredible power out of nothing visible or tangible.

The Hebrew spies checking out Canaan ’s land saw that it flowed with milk and honey, but they also saw themselves a grasshoppers and the enemy as giants. As a result, their succumbing to February’s intimidation cost them an additional thirty-eight years wandering in the wilderness. Finally, Joshua and Caleb, who had originally proclaimed “we are well able to take the land” led Israel to Jericho for a great and decisive battle, a battle that sealed Israel ’s future in the promised land.

The early church exploded out of the upper room with the dynamite of Holy Ghost power. Thousands were saved. Miracles and healings ruled the day. It wasn’t long, however, before they ran into the buzz saw of persecution. They could have turned and ran from their tormentors to disappear back into their surroundings. They did not cave. Instead, they gave themselves to prayer, fasting and witnessing. Their initial momentum was challenged but not squelched.

“I think I can” only signals the beginning of the story. The rest moves to the cadence of “I know I can.” Paul said, “For I know whom I have believed in, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.” March erupts in victory shouts for those who refused to give up one, single ounce of January’s momentum to February.

For every faith-based decision you make in January, February will turn inside-out and make it a “feeling” thing. Don’t give in to feelings! Keep repeating “I think I can”. Let it become “I know I can.” Consider your fleshly feelings as drags, weights and traitorous impulses that seek to rob you of your new-found freedoms. When all else fails, remember that the engine driving your forward progress is the Holy Ghost! “Greater is he that is within you than he that is in the world.” Your little engine can take you to the top of God’s hill of victory, blessing and spiritual success. It’s not your start, but your finish that makes the difference.