I’ve been reading A Praying Life by Paul Miller. Early in chapter six, Miller makes a statement that nearly made me laugh out loud. He said, “I, for one, am allergic to helplessness.”
The chapter is entitled “Learning to be Helpless” and deals with the reality that we don’t pray when we feel as if we are in control. That is definitely me! Maybe that’s why I wanted to laugh at his statement about his “allergy.” I have that same allergy!
As I read his Scriptural examples of helpless people from Scripture, I felt a burning in my heart to be one of them. To truly stop feeling as if I’m capable and to instead acknowledge that I am, in fact, helpless. Why is that so difficult?
Over the past few weeks, I have felt helpless about our Mississippi house situation. So, I’ve done a lot of praying. A lot of seeking. A lot of intentional acceptance of the peace of God.
Meanwhile, I’ve had several other situations that I thought I had under control. Writing posts for another blog. Teaching a Wednesday night youth girls class. Speaking about Jordan. Sharing a testimony about God’s blessings. After all, I love to talk, teach, and write. I’ve got those things, right?
Wrong! God has effectively rendered me helpless in each and every situation. No ability to organize thoughts. No ability to make decisions. No ability to think or write coherently. At least, no ability until I have bowed before the throne begging for help!
My challenge is to defeat this allergy. To put it aside and to instead embrace the helplessness. To be where Paul was when he penned 2 Cor 12:9:
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
May I be more helpless every day!
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