“ME DO, ME DO!” – April 17

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

The struggles of the human heart do not change with age.  The only thing that changes is the reagent that reveals a person’s tangled allegiance to self.  Every heart has an independent streak that fights being told what to do.

I remember my young children’s search for independence as they said, “Me do, Me do,” while attempting to put a square block into a round hole.  I remember my own longing to grow-up so that my parents would not get to tell me what to do.  My memories are etched with indignation toward militant foremen who barked commands and did not allow me to think for myself. I bristle at new rules or regulations that tell me what to do.  One of my greatest fears of aging is being forced to rely upon others due to a failing body.  I fear losing the independence that I have fought so hard to obtain.

I understand that physical maturity is a process of greater independence.  I want my children to mature and become independent.  I don’t want them living in my basement in their forties with their mother doing their laundry.  I want them to be responsible, independent adults.

However, I never want my children to become independent in their hearts. I never want to become independent in my heart.  Jesus told us that, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”  We are to come to Christ and remain in Christ, wholly dependent upon him.  We do not earn our access into the kingdom of God.  We receive it.  It is a gift to us.  We receive it like a dependent child because that is what we are.

However, we all are inclined toward independence, not dependence.

King Asa was strongly supported by God when he relied upon God with his whole heart.  It is only a dependent heart that will seek the Lord wholly. Judah was blessed with many years of peace.  However, this blessing allowed time for a streak of independence to grow in King Asa.  King Asa’s false notion of independence resulted in him not seeking God when he needed Him the most.

Our dependence upon Christ is a measure of our whole-hearted allegiance to him.  An independent spirit does not feel the need to seek the Lord in time of blessing or need.  An independent spirit resists being told what to do.  An independent spirit wants to think for them self.  An independent spirit lives by the adage, “I do, I do.”

We come to Christ as children, wholly dependent.  We stay in Christ as children, wholly dependent upon Him and seeking Him with all our heart and with all our soul.  The Lord will never forsake His children who are whole heartedly seeking Him.  He will strongly support them in their declaration of utter dependence.

How supported do you feel?  Could it be that you have a streak of independence that has divided your heart with an attitude of  “Me do, Me do”?

It might be time to come back to Christ as the child that you are.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my foolishly independent heart.  I know that the more independent I am of you, the worse it is for me.  Father, keep me dependent upon you; don’t let me wander away in my self-confidence.  Thank you for keeping me safe from myself.  Amen.