Stopping by the side of the road, a friend of mine pointed out the crocus flowers blooming. Daffodils too, I noticed. We were standing outside of a church, waiting for friends…so we could get busy, working, helping… “as pastors do.”
Are you looking? Signs of spring – new life – are beginning to be evident. Jesus said, “Consider the lilies…” That is, take time to stop, stand there & consider the life God is bringing about.
U2, the rock band (with Christian roots, tho’ I wouldn’t call them “Christian” outright), has a new cd. “Stand Up Comedy” shouts a lyric: “Stop helping God across the street like a little old lady.”
That made me stop. & think.
Ok, where I am going here? Well, suddenly these two images collide in my head. (No, don’t worry, I’m alright.)
Much of my day is spent helping people in the name of God. I even talk to people about helping God’s cause, participating in church, doing good things for others. It’s all good.
But it tends to leave me thinking that a lot of things are my responsibility, as if God truly *needs* my help (ponder that thought a moment – the King of the Universe “needing”…).
The crocus comes up in spring time and I don’t have to do anything for it. The sun rises (and also sets) without my help.
What am I? I am but a witness to these acts of God’s creation. The Bible speaks about *belief* and about *standing* as a witness to God’s action. It speaks a lot less about my acts or my work.
God is good. I need God’s help, not the other way around. I can stop trying to help God along, so often. I can believe. I can stand & witness God’s help occurring in others’ lives all the time, and it’s God, not me.
Now there is peace, when I stop *helping* so much, and simply believe in the new life God’s already showing signs of. Are you looking…?…believing? Or too busy helping?
Pastor Jason
WEEKLY RESOURCES: U2, No Line on the Horizon; S. Arterburn, Every Man’s Battle; Early Church Fathers, Martyrdom of Polycarp.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
That’s a powerful thought. So often I find myself thinking “God needs/wants me to help spread his message…” when the truth is, He doesn’t need my (our) help at all, He’s doing just fine on His own. God doesn’t need our help: after you think about it, it’s actually pretty comforting.