When my turn comes up to write the pastor’s blog for the week, sometimes I struggle to come up with something valuable to say. I am not one to think my thoughts and opinions are important or profound enough to write down, let alone have someone else read. So what I end up doing is thinking about what God is doing in my life, what he’s showing me, what I’m pondering in my heart; and then I write it down. So here it is:
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone
I'm not so self-assured
And now I find I've changed my mind
And opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, ooh
– The Beatles (1965)
Years and years ago, Mark Morris and I actually put this song at the end of a worship set on a Sunday morning, because we really felt like the Holy Spirit was highlighting our need to accept help and even ask for help. It was really fun to prepare and sing, and I’ve been remembering it frequently lately.
I have been on the receiving end of a lot of help in my life, but there was a time when it was very uncomfortable for me to receive help. I was the willing helper, not the “help-ee.” It took a serious injury and a long battle with chronic pain to get me to the place of being willing to receive help and to be at peace with it, and recognize it was God’s provision for me. It was a long, tough lesson, but very necessary for me to understand a very important aspect of my relationship with God (being dependent on him) and with his church (the entity God uses to provide for his people). God uses people every day to be his representatives and to show people that he sees them, loves them, and practically cares for them.
God has shown me that He is looking out for me in so many ways recently, and it has come through people. Random texts of encouragement have come my way. Obstacles that I faced were easily overcome because the right people picked up the phone on a given day. Because I asked for help when I needed it, several people answered my request, and made what could have been a laborious day a much easier one!
Philippians 2:12 says, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” I see this scripture two ways. It is necessary for me to put in effort to work out my Christian walk, so I’ll put it into action by being a helper, but also by asking for help when I need it. I also see that as I am obedient to this, God is very much at work for my good, and it brings Him pleasure to be in relationship with me. I hope this encourages you today.