The can-do spirit 

‘Because...Caleb has a different spirit...I will bring him into the land.’ Numbers 14:24 NIV 

Dr James Dobson says that for years he was afraid to tackle the computer. As an author and broadcaster he recognised its potential value to him but he kept putting it off until ‘someday’. Finally, aged in his 50s, he faced his fears and took lessons. Today he wonders how he ever coped without a computer. What are the messages in your head saying each time you’ve an opportunity to add a new skill or take on a fresh challenge? ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’? ‘You never were any good at this’? ‘You’ll only embarrass yourself’? The ten spies Joshua sent into Canaan weren’t defeated by the size of the giants but by their perception of them and by what they said about themselves. Listen: ‘They are stronger...We seemed like grasshoppers’ (Numbers 13:31-33 NIV). Such talk is terminal! Because Caleb had the ‘can-do spirit’, he saw his enemy and himself differently. Listen: ‘We can certainly do it’ (Numbers 13:30 NIV). Before achievement comes attitude. Always! If having to do everything right the first time is your prerequisite to trying, you’ll accomplish nothing. Actually, you’ll end up wondering what you could’ve done had you been willing to: a) take a risk; b) learn from your experiences; c) allow God to show you what He can do through you. Every time you face up to another fear, fear loses its hold on you and you take one step closer to success. Go ahead! You’ll never know what God can accomplish through you until you step out in faith and make yourself totally available to Him! 

Prayer Point:

Lord, I refuse to live another day with a ‘can’t-do’ spirit. Help me develop an enthusiasm to try the things I think I hate, to get beyond my smallest fear that my life would be a reflection of what I have overcome. Help me also not to get proud, Lord, so that even when I succeed, I would still know when it is time to serve and not lead, to join in and not stand apart. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.