Take that Helping Hand
As an independent gal for almost eleven years now, I like to call myself self-sufficient, self-supporting, self-reliant, and self-sustaining. But even as I type those words, they sound very “self”-minded! Lord knows – I want to be others-minded, NOT self-minded.
But I realize a helping hand is a good thing these days. I’m quick to take someone’s hand or arm when I’m in precarious places where the terrain is rocky or hilly. You should have seen me traverse the rocks and rolling hills in this photo last November when we were taking this family photo. Without complaint, I took hold of my grandson’s hand. I’m no dummy! I do know when I need to humble-up and admit when I need help.
Funny how independent mindsets cause us to be almost too good at self-sufficiency. I’m guilty as charged. Fortunately, there have been just a few things that I couldn’t do myself, especially in this age of being able to google just about anything. DIY is my go-to in most instances and thank God for the internet that is still my bestie for figuring out this or that – like hanging a big picture yesterday.
Self-sufficiency might be an admirable quality to strive for, but now I’m thinking I need to guard myself against becoming too good at it. I’ll admit it – asking for help humbles me. Perhaps I need humbling – because this self-sufficiency almost crosses the line of being selfish in accepting the kindness of others and may even keep them from being blessed.
And, perhaps, our self-sufficiency keeps us from an intimate, close relationship with our Lord Who is the ALL-Sufficient One, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
The All-Sufficiency of God means He is a God of infinite riches of wisdom, goodness, and power. And His “all-sufficiency” is available to His kids as a treasure chest of blessings. That means we can let go of our self-sufficiency and receive the all-encompassing sufficiency of our God. Our Heavenly Father longs to have that close relationship with us. He wants us to ask Him for help. He wants to save us from many mistakes we’ll make without His wisdom.
It’s easy to rely on our own strength, our own ability, and our own wisdom — so much so that we no longer reach out to our Father and let Him in to help us. It’s easy to leave Him out of our daily decisions and activities, and only run to Him when there’s a big crisis. God is right there to lay His gentle hand on our shoulder to say: “Let Me help you with that.” He’s hoping we will let Him help. He never stops loving us or wanting that relationship with us, even when we feel like we should have it all together by now. I don’t like calling out for help to anyone, but I’m seeing that there are times when I must. In the same way, God is a mere call away when we call upon Him.
Psalm 91:15 “Call on me and I will answer you. I will be with you in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you.”