Psalms 88: 13 ~ HELP!
But I cry to you for help, LORD;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
But I don’t want to ask for help!
Confession: I am allergic to asking for help. If I’m stuck on a homework problem, my first move is to try and figure it out myself before shooting the prof an email. It’s only in the most dire of circumstances that I’m willing to call a friend if my tire blows out or I’m stranded on the highway. And even then, I’m reluctant to make the call.
Our need for help, however, is the basis for our fulfillment in Christ. As David Powlison puts it in A Praying Life,
“Helplessness is how the Christian life works.”
He borrows from the words of Thomas Merton:
“Prayer is an expression of who we are…We are a living incompleteness. We are a gap, an emptiness that calls for fulfillment.”
A state of helplessness is in fact a most desired state. While I struggle to maintain the image that I’m doing fine on my own, Jesus says blessed are the meek. When tempted to try my own way and resist help, Jesus says I must be like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus,
Help! I need help.
I need your help to admit my helplessness. I need your help to understand your upside-down kingdom and live like a little kid. I don’t like being vulnerable or incapable. But this is where I will find you and your life.
Thank you,
– christiancourier517
Sixty-six books in a year 