Do-It-Yourself?
By Paris Renae
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2 NIV
Do-It-Yourselfer? Got it all handled? Not so much…
If you’re like me, you’ve spent way too much time being self-sufficient. Because…if I can’t do it then I’m less than. It means I’m not good enough, strong enough, smart enough. But it’s lonely, isn’t it? And hard.
Turns out there really isn’t anything we do on our own. ‘Do it myself’ is best left to a toddler learning to tie his shoes. And yet we go about our days only asking for God’s help if we need it. If???
It's taken years to break down pride, to attain the freedom that comes in asking for help. Caring friends have modeled for me love that says my weak areas don't bring judgment. They allow the sweetness of another to partner in this walk called life. Their tender acts have reminded my heart to ask God for help - in the mundane and the heart pounding.
God isn’t messed up by our messes – even though the world would try to convince us otherwise.
But the Creator of the universe didn’t create us to be large and in charge. Our messes make us useful. Our weaknesses are another’s source of strength in the hands of God. Divorced? Single Mom? Widow? Cancer ridden? Financially ruined?
The world says failure. The enemy tempts during those dark times: ‘God doesn’t care, look what’s happening. He doesn’t love you.’
Hindsight indeed tells a different story. As we recall His faithfulness then we can pray for, be there for, give wisdom to someone in the midst of the struggle.
So if you’re still pulling yourself up and pushing on, lift up your eyes. Your Help is not in what you can do. Time for us to move from self-sufficiency to God-dependency. Our next breath, next step (and the next) depend not on us, but on a God who’s bigger than it all.
Remember this: “…all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16b-17 NIV underline mine) It is as He enables that we become capable - an ever-present Help.
Father, far too many times we have sought You last. When we’ve exhausted self we finally look to You. Help us going forward to turn to You first. Acknowledging that in all things we are not capable unless You enable. Let our dependency be a beacon for those who are lost in the lies. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For more encouragement, visit Paris at parisrenae.com
© 2021 by Paris Renae. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Thursday, 15 June 2023.
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