Our own savior...

We can't do it. We can't be our own savior. In fact when we're walking with God, we can't really do anything on our own. This claim seems obvious, but I'm not gonna just give you the typical "nothing is impossible with God" speech...okay well maybe I am, but don't disregard this post because you think you already know what I'm going to say. The reason I worry you will is that I've done the same thing. Over and over again, I've heard sermons on how nothing is impossible with God and how we need Him to accomplish our goals but I disregarded it because I already knew all of that. Yes, I did already know it but I definitely wasn't acting it out and applying it to my life. So here's the most important point that I want you to get out of this post...

You don't have to do anything alone. Absolutely anything. Humans are weak, sinful, broken people and often lack the strength, courage, and passion to accomplish things on their own. But when we accept Christ into our lives, He lives inside of us. Let that sink in a little bit; the great, mighty, powerful, beautiful, all-knowing Creator of the heavens and earth lives inside of you. And with that piece of truth a light bulb should go off...With the power of the Most Powerful on your side, you can do anything. With the wisdom of the Wisest on your side, you can do anything. With the courage of the Most Courageous on your side, you can do anything. With the beauty of the Most Beautiful on your side, you can do anything. With the Mercy of the Most Merciful on your side, you can do anything. Get the point yet?

So how do we apply this to our everyday lives? With big concepts such as "nothing" (is impossible) and "anything" (can be done with God on our side), it can seem like this lesson applies more to the big scheme of things or just life in general rather than our day-to-day routines. But that couldn't be more false...

Life on earth is tough. No matter how much or little we have, no matter the magnitude of our struggles and burdens, every human suffers. Of course the love of Christ is the absolute most comforting thing when we're truly devastated and nothing is better than our Father's embrace when we're suffering great loss. But we don't just have to ask God to help us get through big things. We don't annoy Him when we ask for help in our small, everyday tasks. In fact, He longs for us to need Him. He takes delight in us when we rely on Him. He finds so much joy in simply revealing His presence to us.

There's definitely fault in only loving God and worshipping Him because of what He can give you. I am by no means telling you it's okay to only love God because of what He can do for you. That kind of selfish behavior is not true faith. But when we truly love God for who He is and we realize how much He loves us and longs to strengthen us, then it is 100% acceptable to turn to Him in any situation. Here are some examples (mostly from personal experience) of simple requests you can ask God...

• to help you get up in the morning
• to be able to tolerate someone that makes it really hard and to show that person love despite how they treat you
• to get through a test
• to help release feelings of envy/inadequacy/self-doubt
• to open your eyes to opportunities to share His love with others
• to be able to focus on Him in the midst of a busy week
• to be a more obedient daughter/son to your parents
• to be able to discipline yourself to commit more time to Him
• to be able to follow where He is guiding you when making a big (or small) decision, rather than what others want you to do
• to be able to have more positive, uplifting thoughts
• to see the beauty in each day
• to find ways to glorify Him in everything you do (yes even school)
• to be able to trust that He will keep His promises

The list could go on and on. And honestly, some of those requests aren't that simple and might be hard for you to ask of God. But I listed them because they are things I used to never think to ask God for help in. I used to have the belief that I on my own had to be right with Him before I was able to truly engage in a relationship with Him. But that's the beautiful thing about a relationship with Him...He meets you exactly where you are and says "come and follow me." No exceptions.

My prayer for myself and anyone reading this is that we will be able to seek God and rely on Him in all we do. That we will thirst for Him so much that the first thing we think to do in any unpleasant situation is ask Him for help. Whether we simply feel ugly because of a zit on our face or are facing a huge tragedy, I pray that we run to Jesus. Our strength, rock, refuge, redeemer, savior, and Prince of Peace. Have a great week! :)

You are of God, dear children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4