The elderly woman lived in squalor, surrounded by garbage, eating only the most basic staples. She refused help from the community and slid out of sight. Months later, when people realized they had not seen her at all, police found her body under a pile of old newspapers that fell on her in her home. To everyone’s astonishment, her estate was ample, with investments made over the years that could have provided a very comfortable life for her. But, she would not sell her stocks, cash in her bonds, or draw on her accounts. What a tragedy.
In my prayertime today, the Lord reminded me that He was my Resource, that I need not try do my work alone! He brought to mind the amazingly skilled, deeply dedicated people that serve alongside of me at the Assembly in her ministries. The sighing, the sense of never ending work, the risk of burn-out are all unnecessary if I will walk with Him, in humble obedience; and if I will lean on my team!
Pride is such a subtle temptation. It puts on the disguise of ‘just doing my job,’ or ‘carrying my own weight,’ or ‘meeting expectations.’ This sin overtakes me from time to time. I recognize it only when I start to feel the isolation that comes with the silly idea that nobody else is capable of doing what I do. Thinking one’s self indispensable may feed the ego, but it also increases the burden and ultimately makes a person even less effective!
Solomon, who became an awful cynic in his old age, sagely observed: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)
Being a productive person is a worthy goal. Accepting responsibility for the tasks assigned to us is a good thing. Having the ability to assemble the resources required to get the job done and showing creativity in meeting the demands of life are admirable traits. Being a Lone Ranger is not a good thing. A truly wise person builds teams by sharing his skills and accepting the advice of others, fits himself into networks of people who multiply his influence, and knows when to say, ‘help!’ before his lack of knowledge has created a disaster!
Are you suffering the sickness of prideful self-sufficiency?
Are you struggling to keep going, afraid to ask for help, refusing to admit that you need support?
Begin a change by bowing your head and heart before the Lord and asking Him to show you the resourceful people around you. Then, go serve somebody without any expectation of thanks, affirmation, or repayment! It’s good for the soul.
Here’s a word from the Word for your thoughts today.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. … Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:2-5, 9, NIV) May the Spirit make plain the tension between being responsible for your own backpack while helping to carry the weight of the work of the Kingdom with others!
Draw on the resources God provides and you will find the promise of Jesus fulfilled - "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10, NLT)
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CoffeeBreak With The Word will be back on August 10, Lord-willing. I’ll be attending “Influence” a conference in Orlando next Monday through Wednesday, then taking a few days out of the office. See you then!
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