Don't Shake Him Off

             I've always been an "I can do it" kind of girl.  Even when I was little -- they tell me my first words were "me do."  I recall the time when I learned how to ride a bicycle - the day had arrived when I graduated from that tricycle and Daddy put me on my sister's two-wheeled bicycle.  I was so excited; the day had finally arrived when I could try my hand at a grown-up bike rather than a toddler's.  My father got me going down Poplar Drive and, oh my goodness, there I was teeter-tottering, but balancing that bike all by myself.  At least I thought I was.  For it was then I noticed that my father was running alongside with his hand on the back fender.  He was making the bike stay upright.  "Daddy, let me do it.  Don't help me," I protested.  My father persisted until finally I got my way... and I proceeded to flop sideways with the bike, the whole thing crashing to the sidewalk. 

            I thought of that the other day when I read an interesting quote by Dr. J.I. Packer.  He says, "When we walk along a clear road feeling fine, and someone takes our arm to help us, as likely as not we shall impatiently shake him off; but when we are caught on a rough country road in the dark, with a storm getting up and our strength spent, and someone takes our arm to help us, we shall lean thankfully on him."

            Oh, we are such proud, independent types.  We don't want anyone helping us, especially if we can do it ourselves and the road is clear and there are no obstacles and we're feeling fine, and, and...  But when we flop sideways, when the whole thing crashes down on us, or when we feel the bite of an illness or a disability, then it's a different story.  We will gladly lean on the arm of a friend.  We wouldn't dare shake off the willing support of a sister or brother in Christ.

            You might be having a tough time living with your weakness today.  Well, please hear me on this, a child who looks back and now appreciates the guiding hand of her daddy... take it from me, a woman who has lived with total paralysis for 14, 965 days (give or take a few).  You need help.  You can't do it on your own.  There are no "me dos" in the body of Christ.  God wants you to feel the sting of your weakness so that you might learn not only to depend on the steadying hand of a friend who helps, but that dependence will teach you how to depend on God.  After all, II Corinthians 1:9 tells us that these things happen that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.  And if God can raise the dead, He can raise your hope as you lean on Him.  Christian, don't impatiently shake Him off today.  Understand that those everlasting arms which are supporting you are there because your all-wise and all-knowing God understands you need help.  And the more you recognize that, the stronger and the steadier you'll be.

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