Dependence

Where do I learn a valuable lesson? Some places may be from my pastor, my children and parents, society, my actions, and the Bible. Recently, I learned a lesson on dependence from my one-year-old puppy, Isaac Newton (Newt). He has several tennis balls, and for some reason, he likes to put them under my dresser. I have set up barriers so he can’t get the ball under the dresser, but he moves it out of his way. He likes to play this game of trying to get the ball out after he rolls it under the dresser. Sometimes he is successful in retrieving it, but more times than not, I have to get the toy for him and put the barrier back up.

One day he was sitting at the front of the dresser whining for me to get the ball out. I got tired of getting down to retrieve his playthings. On this day, when I recovered his tennis ball, I kept it in my hand and did not give it to him immediately. He started scratching at my hand and using his paws to get the ball from me. The thought struck me overwhelmingly that, oh my goodness, I do this to God. I sit and want something and whine because I want God to give me some blessing or perceived need that He is holding from me. I know God has gifts and provisions stored up for me (Psalm 31:19), but I don’t always want to wait on His time or His terms. I might scratch and cry and use my mouth to get my way or the object of my current affection by murmuring and complaining. I may talk to others about what I perceive I don’t have or what I feel God withholds from me. Or I may cry in prayer, “why don’t you give me what I want?” I realize that I am like my one-year-old puppy. I depend upon God to give me his good and perfect will, and I get upset when it doesn’t come in the time frame I think it should. Matthew 6:8 references that we are not to be like babbling pagans when praying but says, “do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask.” Hebrews 4:16 says, “let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

At times, God may set up barriers for me. These barriers are not because he is tired of helping me but rather for my good. I, like Newt, may sometimes try to move the obstacle to get my way. Maybe I ponder playing a game with my life and think I am powerful enough to win on my own. Sometimes life may feel heavy and unmoveable, like my dresser, so I try to go under it or around it. Occasionally, I feel like God is me in that He lets me take my concern or care and even run for a while, knowing I will return and ask for His help. He will never force me to leave everything in His loving, capable hands. However, He is always there to receive them back into His care when I wise up, realize what I have done, and once again return to the Father’s side to release my care, concern, worry, or problem into his hands.

One day I walked into my bedroom, and there was Newt patiently waiting for someone to come and retrieve one of his balls. He was in no hurry to get what he wanted. He is just sitting by the dresser, waiting for someone to come in and get the object of his present desire for him. Since then, I have noticed he does this quite often. I will see him waiting beside the couch or cabinet, just waiting to receive his toy. He seems content waiting, knowing he cannot recover his toy. I need to be willing to do this with God. I must patiently wait for Him to give me what I need. In times of doubt, I want to remember the lilies of the field and how God made them have more splendor than Solomon (Matthew 6:28-30).

I talked about this post with my daughter over lunch, and she told me a story. She wanted Newt to swim with her, but he wouldn’t go near the pool. One day she picked him up, took him in with her, and gently threw him in the water. His instinct kicked in, and he started to swim to the side. Her point was that Newt has what he needs in that situation. She went on to say that is how she views God. God does not put us in a position He has not equipped us for so we don’t sink. Also, I realize that God goes with us into the water and is right by our side in whatever situation he asks us to swim in. God faithfully provides all we need, successfully fulfilling his will in our lives. The Bible referenced God’s provision when He called his servants to act. Exodus 4:10-11, Judges 6:14-16, Jeremiah 1:6-10, and Hebrews 13:20-21 are a few examples.

Finally, after a long day of playing and barking at everything, Newt settles down on my lap and enjoys sweet, contented sleep. He does not worry about tomorrow or if his humans will meet his needs. He knows that all his needs were completed today and trusts our family to meet his future needs. Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind. Jesus is teaching the crowd about how futile worry is and how important God’s creation is to the Father. God does not need my help to meet my needs. He wants my heart of faith to be focused on him alone. I need to trust and believe that he is already in my tomorrow and will be there to meet all my needs.

I cannot depend on myself in varying life situations but must rely on God. He has given all of us abilities and skills. Still, when I try to accomplish my will over depending on him to complete his will, I can get into trouble. He knows precisely when to give me direction, answers to prayers and blessings and when to hold onto them for a little longer. I need to learn complete dependence on God, not on my skills or intuition, and stop struggling when the answer doesn’t come in my timing. I need to remember that God’s timing is not my timing. Psalm 90:4 states, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Depending on God and waiting on him can bring me peace and contentment if I let it. If I genuinely want to live my life for God’s Kingdom and purpose, I must learn and practice dependence on God. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62:5)

Trust God. You can always depend on Him!!