Filed under: Faith
[Parent and child are about to cross a street;
Parent grabs child's hand;
Child pulls away with rebellion for he/she feels that they don't need help;
"No! I don't wanna! I can do it!" says the child]
Having this image in our minds…it isn’t exactly rocket science to figure out what the solution to a situation like this is. I believe that the only response is that the parent would still take the child’s hand regardless. Securing and guiding, so that the street is crossed as safely as possible. Now, think for a minute what were to happen if the parent let the child run free…it’s a thought that would only make one apprehensive.
As I was reading my devotional tonight/this morning…amongst the text written in a size 10 font…the significance of this statement felt like it was in a font size of 72.
“The root problem with independence is trusting ourselves more than trusting God.”
We live in a world where we are just geared to be independent; learning to do things on our own, for ourselves, by ourselves…The problem with human nature is that we have a tendency to feel that we are in control. Constantly trying to “take the bull by the horns,” so to speak. Always trying to handle things on our own because we feel that no one will help, or in fear that someone won’t “fall through.” It’s this “I can do it on my own” kind of attitude that resonates in our flesh. From the minute we gain that independence as a toddler; no longer wanting to hold Mommy or Daddy’s hand…
Truth is, we can’t do it on our own. Being independent can certainly be a great thing…but getting deep down to the core- all that we do and all that we are capable of does not stem from our individual ability…all of our help comes from God. I have been through many situations in which I tried to control things…I’ve said many times “No! I don’t wanna! I can do it!” But as a result of me trying to do things myself, without any remembrance of the source of my help, or very little of…I always wound up stressed, and I often felt disappointed for things didn’t exactly go the way that I wanted them to…and that right there- is problematic. It was me first, and after everything got messy- then did I turn to God.
But that’s opposite.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you what path to take.” [Proverbs 3:5-6]
It was when I released my grasp into His sovereign control did I really learn. Fully entrusting anything and everything to God provides me with nothing but peace and fills me with so much joy. When I seek Him first and then take my steps, I am not only given a sense of direction, but I feel completely safe. So even though at many times there’s this tendency to try to put things into my own hands…I always try to remember to put them into His first.
I know that if I hold my Heavenly Father’s hand, I will be kept in perfect peace. So instead of saying “No! I don’t wanna! I can do it on my own!” I say “Yes! I want to hold your hand! I can’t do anything without You!”
Whenever I cross a street, He is always with me.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” [Matthew 6:33]
