Weak part 5
It's only in understanding that we can't do ANYTHING on our own that we figure out that we can do ALL THINGS through Christ. Because He strengthens us. Because His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Because if we're not doing... whatever it is that we're doing... in love, it is doomed to fail. Love never fails. Because love endures. Because love doesn't demand its (HIS) own way. So, in a very real sense, our weakness is our strength. Because when we can't... He will. When we stop trying to do everything ourselves... that's when we give God the room, and the opportunity, to do what He wants to do. And what He wants to do--the only thing He has ever wanted to do, or has ever done--is love people. What else could the God who is love do? Or want to do? I think it's so important that we see God as He truly is. So important that we see God as love. Because that changes everything. We can get rid of this mindset where we see God as an angry, distant taskmaster and we can see Him (clearly, truly) as our loving heavenly Father. As the One who literally moved heaven and earth in order to bring us back to Him... after WE spent so much time and effort running away from Him. God is not mad at you. He's mad about you. Crazy, head over heels in love with you. And no parent who loves their child wants to see them suffer. I have a rule with my son, "I want you to try your best. And then if you still need help, you know I've got your back." Because I do want him to be able to do things. I do want him to be able to function. At the same time, I want him to know that he's never alone. That he can always come to me. For anything. And, in some ways, our heavenly Father has an even better relationship. Because He doesn't want us to do ANYTHING on our own. He wants us to involved Him in EVERYTHING. Right from the start. Or, really, right from wherever we're at. I believe that if we include God right from the beginning we won't have to break glass in case of emergency... because we won't get to that point of emergency. I also believe that if we find ourselves in that place of emergency...we should break the glass! I like Romans 10:13 quite a bit, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Because, to me, it's a very present help in times of trouble verse, not necessarily a cosmic elevator verse. When you need to be saved--from whatever situation you find yourself in--call on the name of the Lord. Cast your cares on Him, knowing that He cares for you. Let your heavenly Father carry you through, instead of constantly falling and trying to pick yourself back up. When you are weak, you can be weak. You can ask for help. And when you ask God for help, you'll always get it. Maybe not in the exact way that you think you should, but certainly in the way that will benefit you the most. What you think doesn't compare to what God knows. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows what's best. He knows how to use His strength--in you, and through you, and as you. So lean on Him. Rely on Him. Trust in Him. God has your back. And He wants to be involved. He wants to be our strength. Our help. Our Rock. He wants to be our everything!