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Sunday, September 5 |
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| When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:4) | |||
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Prayer & a Life of Dependence
I am sure many of you have observed in your own lives how a fervency in your prayer life is directly related to how dependent you are on God. As we feel more self sufficient, we see less of a need to pray and we have less of a desire to pray. As we become more dependent on God, either through challenging circumstances or through spiritual hunger and insight, praying takes on a more central role in our lives.
Where does a feeling of self sufficiency come from? Obviously, it comes from ourselves. It comes as we see our lives going well and according to our plans and desires. We sense no particular needs so we don't need anything beyond ourselves. We are self sufficient, which is a dangerous place to be.
Some would counter (and I disagree with this perspective) that we can only truly be dependent on God when we experience trials, hardships or challenges. It is true by observation and probably what we may have seen in our own lives that challenging circumstances cause us to seek after the Lord more fervently. Why must this be the way we operate in our lives? Where does it say in scripture that we can only have a deep, abiding relationship with God only after we have been through difficult trials? I would contend that we are completely free in Christ to pursue and enjoy our relationship with God regardless of our circumstances. In the midst of complete earthly satisfaction and comfort, we can also have a deep, vibrant fellowship and prayer life with our Lord.
I would explain this phenomenon of drawing close to the Lord only in the midst or aftermath of a trial in terms of what we want and need. We want to feel good and we need to feel safe and secure. When our circumstances are "going well", we feel good, safe and secure in our circumstances so we have all we need. We are self sufficient, although this is dependent on our circumstances. Note how tenuous is our self sufficiency. We actually have very little control over our circumstances, yet when they are to our liking, we feel sufficient in ourselves. We are blinded by good feelings to the reality that no one ever has been, or ever can be, "self sufficient" God alone is "self sufficient". We allow ourselves to be blinded to the truth that all men are fully dependent on our wonderful Creator. His incredible creation reflects His bountiful grace which provides for all mankind
I would say trials, then, simply turn our hearts to the truth about who God is and how are lives are truly in His hands. In trials, see there is no hope in any of the persons or things around us and the only thing left is God. We turn back to the correct perspective of seeking the Giver and not the gift.
We can live a life of full and complete dependence on God, regardless of circumstance. We can choose to live a life seeking after and delighting in our wonderful Creator and Savior. We don't have to rest or have confidence in our circumstances for one moment. We, by faith, can choose to acknowledge and worship God in all things. He truly is the delight of our every moment. What on earth could possibly compare to Him? He alone is the Truth. As we draw close to Him, we will clearly see that He is indeed far, far better than anything and everything else. As we seek after Him, worship Him and bask in the wonder and glory of who He is, to quote a popular song, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace".
We can be caught up in a good cycle of depending on Him more so we naturally pray more. We see our lives and those around us in His hands and His care so we pray to Him and seek after Him who controls all things. As we pray, we further delight in Him and converse with Him. Leaning on Him becomes more and more a part of our every moment. We are literally inseparable from God (certainly He is inseparable from us) and we delight in talking to Him throughout our days. We prayer more and become more dependent and as we become more dependent on Him we pray more.
He is our joy and satisfaction. Don't settle for any counterfeits. Settle only for our Creator and Maker, not some lie of the world. Delight in Him alone and you will not delight in the comforts or circumstances of this world. We know Him to be God Most High above all things. Worship Him for who He wonderfully is. Hunger after God and God alone and you will be a person of prayer as well.
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