To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great . . . Acts 26:22
Paul was telling about his conversion story. Each of us have one. For some it was as earth-shattering as Paul’s was. That pin-pointed moment in time when the Divine reached in and grabbed your heart. For others it was a quiet realization over many years. Even others were reared in an environment of believers and the step to claim the Truth as your own was a natural one.
Or perhaps you have felt that tap on your shoulder and are still afraid to turn around. Afraid you will be asked to give up too much and at the same time hopeful that you will, because you know you need help. You can’t keep going down the path you are on but don’t know what other path to take.
We are not programmed to ask for help. From an early age we whine, “I can do it myself”, whether it is trying to tie shoe laces, or opening our carton of milk in Kindergarten to solving a math problem to learning to use a new computer program. And if we find it is beyond our capabilities, we throw it down and stomp off. But ask for help?
Perhaps that is one of the toughest thing about the Christian walk – you have to give up self-reliance. You learn, as Paul did, to rely on the Creator of the Universe, the Wise and All Powerful, Loving Savior for everything- your next breath, your future, your relationships with others. You hand Him the keys and say, you drive. In the big things, it is easier. Who doesn’t need help scaling rugged mountains? But in the speed humps of life, the little things – not so much. It’s all going great now, thanks for helping me over the rough spots, I’ll take it from here, God.
How many times have I said that? Countless. And each time, He patiently let’s me make that error in judgement. He stands by with the Band-Aids and ointment when I scrape my knees, again. Each time I slip, He picks me up, dries my tears, dusts off my bottom and grasps my hand. once again, I am humbled and grateful to have His help.
