For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. (NIV)

"I can't do it on my own."  

These seven small words are written on a crinkled pink post-it note, and although it's not my writing, it could be. Last spring Pastor Brian invited everyone at church to spread out across the ACF campus and pray, listening to God for what he wanted to speak to each of us. And beautifully, God spoke. We recorded his words to each of us on little multi-colored sticky notes, and as we hung them up on the walls of the church lobby, a beautiful mosaic of God's voice came into view. To some he spoke encouragement, some challenge, some comfort...and to the person he nudged to write these words, I say thank you for listening, because I needed to hear them today, too.

See, I have always bent toward the allure of self-sufficiency. As someone who was let down as a kid - maybe you were too - being able to take care of myself has its appeal. When there's no one to depend on, there's no one to be disappointed by. The trouble with this line of thought, however (even if it's subconscious), is that this stance of distance, that tells everyone else I've got this, also tells our loving, kind, relational Father God that we don't need him.

My toddler is learning independence. He is quite proud of his ability to do things like potty or let the dog outside by himself. And truly, I LOVE it. Instead of stopping my meal to help him to the bathroom, he confirms that he's got it, and I get to continue eating. Instead of bending my very-pregnant self down to help him put his shoes on, he does it himself! It's awesome. I celebrate his newfound independence, not only because it makes my life easier, let's be honest, but also because I know it's a sign of important developmental milestones. He's growing, and that is good.  

Unfortunately, though, I think we put these same perspectives on our relationship with God sometimes. We think that the longer we are a Christian, the better we should become at this faith thing. But unlike how our world prizes independence and self-sufficiency, the mark of deepening faith is actually more dependence on God, not less. God isn't like me, who just wants a little space and time to eat my dinner in peace! He has infinite attention span, patience, focus, and affection for us, his children. He does not tire of your needing him; he actually created you for dependence, reliance, and trust in him alone, because he knows that in that environment, we will thrive.  

In Isaiah 41:13, God says to his people Israel, "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Sometimes if I try to take hold of my son's hand, assuring him I'll help him, he refuses out of pride and independence. But sometimes, like when he's hurt, sad, or tired, he accepts. He lets me comfort him, support his little hand, and help him with what he can't do on his own. Sometimes he'll accompany his submission with a small whisper, Thanks you, mommy. And in those moments, I'm reminded of the delight that can come from dependence.  

To our human hearts, it may not always feel rewarding to be relied upon, but remember this: WE are made in God's image, not he in ours. Not only will he help you, friend, he wants to help you. He wants you to depend on him alone, because within this space of complete trust and reliance, we stop futilely relying on ourselves to save us.  

Will you let him love you this well? Come to him today with the same admission of your dependence on him as the writer of this pink sticky note: God, I can't do it on my own.

And let him assure you with the words of today's verse: Don't be afraid, kiddo. I WILL help you.

In what area of your life do you need to embrace your dependence on God today? Take some time now to talk to him about it in prayer. Ask him to draw your heart deeper into dependence on him.