Dive Deeper

     As a teenager, I couldn’t wait to grow up and move out of my parents’ house.  I loved my family, but I had a deep desire to be independent.  I thought I would be perfectly fine on my own, and I didn’t think I needed my parents’ help with anything once I got my own place.  Oh boy, was I wrong.

      When I first moved out of my childhood home, I remember calling my mom several times a day because I had hundreds of random questions about living on my own.

     “Mom, do I have to thaw this frozen chicken in the fridge?”

     “Hey mom, can I put something that says ‘dry clean only’ in the washer?”

     “How often am I supposed to wash my bed sheets?...EVERY WEEK?!?”

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     I ran to my mother with these questions (and countless others) because I trusted that she knew the answers and I knew that she cared for me.  While it’s beneficial to go to our earthly mother and father for guidance and advice, it’s far more important to call on our Heavenly Father for help and guidance.  Parents and other trustworthy adults in our lives will love us dearly and will try to point us on the right path, but the Lord loves us so much more and never fails in guiding us.

     It’s easy to think, I can call my parents or a trusted friend any time I want to.  All I need to do is pick up my phone, call or text them, and they respond right away.  I don’t have God on my speed dial, so how can I call on Him when I am in need of help?

     It may be true that we live in an age where technological advances allow us to have so many resources at our fingertips, but no matter how advanced technology becomes, it will never compare to the presence and power of God.  Psalm 121 tells us that the Lord of the universe does not sleep or slumber.  He is always watching over us and is waiting for us to call on Him.  And though we can’t dial Heaven’s number on our phone, all we need to do is ask God for help.  We may not physically see the Lord, but His presence is all around us and His Spirit lives in us since we have received Jesus as our Savior.

     

When we know that the Lord longs to help us and watches over us at all times, we begin to desire His presence more and more.  There is something in all of us that yearns to be unconditionally loved and cared for, and the Maker of heaven and earth fulfills that desire.  The more we learn about Him and His perfect nature, the more we long to draw near to His heart.

 

Psalm 121:1-3

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

    

Just like we need the help of our family and friends, we need God’s help as we walk through our problems and struggles.  It’s impossible for us to know how to live this life in a way that honors Christ without God’s guidance.  Sometimes we may feel that we can get by without the help of others, but without the Lord, we will be left broken, burdened, and lost.  We cannot find the way on our own no matter how hard we try.  We need God to show us, guide us, help us, and fill us.  With the Lord on our side, we will never falter or fall, we will never lose our way, and we will always be filled with His Spirit.  

 

Show me how to walk, please

Guide me when I am lost, please

Help me find your way, please

Fill me Lord I pray

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Questions for Reflection

 

1. Do you always find yourself turning to God for help when life throws problems at you?  Or do you find yourself turning to other things besides God?

2. Do you find yourself desiring God’s presence more and more?  If not, what do you find yourself desiring?

3. How does God show you, guide you, or help you in this life?  (Has he guided you through His Word or helped you through other believers?)

4. Do you only find yourself calling on God when you are in trouble? What are some good areas of your life you could celebrate with Him right now

 

Call on the Lord for help right now and ask for His help and guidance.  

Father, I know You are all around me and hear me.  Show me what paths to take, guide me on this journey, and help me to be more like You every day.