Duly Noted: “I can’t rely on my old strength this time…”

By Jarrett in : Duly Noted, Jarrett Hill // Nov 2 2010

Lately, I’ve gotten back into Kirk Franklin and have been really enjoying his CD “The Fight of My Life.”

During the adlibs at the end of Hide Me he says, “I can’t rely on my old strength this time,” something I’ve heard plenty of times growing up in church. Following that The Nu Nation vamps “you’re makin’ me stronger now … you made me stronger now,” which stood out to me as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep.

I’ve been in a pretty significant argument with someone as of late, one that has been really taxing on our relationship, and emotionally draining for me. Additionally, I’ve had a very hard time dealing with the end of a different relationship that I wasn’t at all prepared for. Making it through the tumultuous times I’m going thru has been pretty tough, and the words “I can’t rely on my old strength this time,” impacted me.

What trials do we face in our lives right now, or have we recently overcome, that the old us couldn’t have imagined surviving? So often we don’t take time to look back on where we came from; it’s not always easy to remember to check out the rear-view mirror when we’re traveling through life’s highways and don’t have it before to remind us of what we’ve left behind and already passed.

I’m grateful, in the midst of a storm, for being able to see where potholes, a fender-bender, and even a couple tickets have made me better and more equipped to handle what I face on the road of today. I pray that that which I meet today will prepare me for tomorrow, and trust that it will.

Give yourself some credit. Lift up your chin. And if you don’t feel a whole smile, just lift up one side, and smile on the inside. Then note it. Duly.

j.