by J. Randal Matheny

We learn it quickly as children. "I can't!" The exclamation of fear, of doubt, even of certainty that we are not able to tackle what dad, mom, or the teacher required of us. Often, it was an excuse to avoid the effort of what we could do, but were too lazy or stubborn to do.

Perhaps that's part of why Jesus wants us to be like little children, to say "I can't" when it comes to the Kingdom of God.

• I can't earn enough credits to win God's approval and wow my way into Heaven.

• I can't figure out the mind of God without going to the single place he's put his revelation, in the Bible.

• I can't put up with my brothers and sisters in Christ (never mind them putting up with me) without the grace and example of the Lord.

• I can't handle the tremendous task Jesus has left with me, to preach the gospel to the world.

Even Paul agrees with me. "And who is equal to such a task?" (2 Corinthians 2:16, NIV).

So we should all quit and forget the whole thing, right? Wrong.

Only when I cry "I can't" can I pick up the staff of God's power and proclaim "I can."

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant -- not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).

So, yes, ...

• I can receive God's approval and wing my way to Heaven, because Jesus lived a perfect life and gave himself as my sacrifice.

• I can know the mind of God by listening to the voice of Christ.

• I can bear patiently with my fellow Christians by the love of the Spirit. And they can even make room for me.

• I can fulfill the task of evangelism, because God's love motivates me and my gratitude never lets my efforts flag.

I can't. I can.

Because God can in me.