I’ve Got This… Not.

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.  Psalm 54:4 NASB

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 2:9 BSB

My busy, rush-hour morning commute is usually heavy with red tail-lights and I-hope-someone-lets-me-in lane maneuvers, this particular morning was no exception. As I made my way through traffic, and as part of my normal routine, I talked with God about two particular sections of the freeway that always cause me to pray. “Lord, here it is, this section is so hard for me, please help me find a lane,” as I leaned my head forward and looked to my right for an opening to steer into.

But this morning as I prayed, a thought occurred to me for the first time; “Does that necessarily mean that I think I can handle the rest of “it” without God’s help?” Recoiling at the very idea, I literally spoke out loud, “Yeeesh, I can’t believe I thought that!  Lord, the breath in my body. The energy to get up in the morning. The cognitive skills to drive a car. You provide me with everything. But somehow, in my mind, I realize that think I only need you for “this hard part over here, I can take care of the rest.’”  Oh, the subconscious pride embedded within the human heart!

Then the question grew… How often do I do that with other areas of my life?  (How often do you?)

Of course, some of us go the opposite direction and only ask the omnipotent God for “manageable” requests. Nothing too big and certainly nothing we would deem impossible. Just simple things like a parking spot or His blessing over a meal. Let’s not bother God with what we can do ourselves. Ouch.

Listen closely. Bend down, cup your ear. It absolutely honors the Lord when we turn to Him for everything. Bringing every need, every challenge and even every joy to Him with a grateful heart of thanksgiving. Of course it’s important to pray about challenging traffic, crying toddlers, heavy workloads and the ache of loneliness. The point that the Holy Spirit was making to me this morning was that I need Him in all areas, at all times. Not just traffic or even weightier matters like heart surgery, a family member’s cancer diagnosis or prodigal children. We (I) need Him to supply our next breath until He’s ready to call us home.  He wants us to know; really know He is the Giver and Sustainer of life and honor Him as such.  And yes, thankfully, He even cares about what lane of traffic is open.  

“There is nothing that moves a loving father’s soul quite like his child’s cry.”– Joni Eareckson Tada

My Father, I need You for everything. Please show me where I’m trying to do things on my own without relying on You, Your power, Your wisdom, Your strength and Your grace. A traffic jam is such a silly example, but You took the time to use it to point out the unrecognized layer of pride of my heart and loved me enough to put Your finger where I needed it. Not to condemn me, but to grow me.  I love You Lord! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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