Who Ya Gonna Call?

Not the Ghostbusters, I hope! 

Actually, today's post is about Self-Reliance vs. God-Reliance.

Who do you call on...
     When times are tough?
     When you need help?
     When you're lonely?
     When you're afraid?
     When you simply do not understand what's going on?

Or do you...
     Suck it up?
     Pull up your bootstraps and do it yourself?
     Veg out in front of the television with a pint of ice cream?
     Act out and tell people off?
     Over analyze the situation and come up with a plan?

Imagine yourself stranded in the desert. There's nothing for miles around and your car is broken down. There's no traffic on the road. You've been sitting there waiting for a few hours as the heat bears down on you. That bottle of water you brought along is empty. Suddenly a car appears just over the horizon and gets closer and closer. The driver stops and asks if you need help. You wave them away and say, "I got myself into this mess. I'll figure a way out. Thanks, anyway." What???? Why in the world would you wave away someone who is willing and available to provide help? Oh, that's right: Self-Reliance.

Our society expects us to be self-reliant. Don't get me wrong, self-reliance isn't all bad. Really. I mean, if you know how to fix a toilet yourself and don't have to pay a plumber, self-reliance is very good! But, there are times when self-reliance instead of God-reliance is not good.

In 1 Samuel 27:1 we see David on the run from Saul. David is giving up hope that Saul will ever stop chasing him. In fact, he's pretty sure he won't live through this experience.

But David thought to himself, “One of these days 

I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. 

The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. 

Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere

in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

Notice that David "thought to himself." That was his first mistake. He was tired of running and he didn't bother consulting God. He listened to his own counsel then David made an alliance with Achish, a Philistine King. This was not part of God's plan. Yes, David was feeling the pressure of his circumstances, he felt disappointment because he had been anointed King and was not given the throne, and I'm certain he was frustrated. (He had two wives, his men, and their families traveling with him. Don't you just know somebody must have asked Are we there yet?) On top of all that, David had no home and was constantly on the run. That would be difficult for anyone. But, David decided to take matters into his own hands. Sounds reasonable to us. But it wasn't what God had planned. You'll have to read the rest of the story on your own.

Self-reliance provides no rest and no peace. God-reliance provides rest and peace, even in the midst of trying circumstances.

Does God allow us to be self-reliant? Yes. He allows us to make choices in our free will. God would much rather we always rely on Him. But, He is always close by to assure that His plans for our lives move forward. God is able to untangle the nets we step in and smooth over some of the rough patches we make for ourselves. Wouldn't it just be easier to rely on God first, though? Who you gonna call?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

~  Proverbs 3:5-6