Stronger-Than-Yesterday #1

So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Judges 13:24-25

What is strength? When asked about strength, it is inevitable that most people would reference to the strongest man in the Bible: Samson. Modern day cultural conditioning has caused many of us to identify strength with someone of physical stature, someone who look as though they could literally move mountains. Probably someone who think when the Bible says "faith can move mountains", he or she would probably say "who needs faith to do that".

But what is strength really? From the story of Samson, we know that though he is the strongest man externally, he was not strong on the inside. And we see this in modern society. Recently, OJ Simpson was arrested for crime again, this time robbery. Someone who was a respected sports personality, probably idolised for his image of strength.

Strength really entails more than just the physical. It includes the spiritual, emotional and mental as well. It is the strength on the outside, as well as the strength on the inside that makes the man.

Look at Jesus Christ and you'll see a Man that is strong on both arenas. Here's a Man who was a carpenter who had the strength to go into temples, overturn merchant stalls and even carry the weight of the cross. At the same time, here's a Man who dared stand against the criticism from religious sects, stood His grounds on convictions, yet at the same time, when reviled and accused, remained silent, trusting that God was His Vindicator.

So what is strength? Mahatma Gandhi put it in this way: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

So the big question/s right now is this:
- Do you have inner strength, apart from outer strength?
- Do you have an "indomitable will" that could withstand the storms of life?
- If not, what are you doing today to gain that inner strength?

Let's all become 昨日の自分より強く... Stronger than the you of yesterday!!!