Day 8 | The Gift of Full Reliance – Shawna

We pride ourselves in being self-sufficient. I can take care of myself. I can meet my family's needs. But we worship a God who models and requires dependency.

The Creator of this universe humbled Himself, became a baby, and needed to rely on others to feed Him and care for His needs.

…Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,

   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,

   being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! -Philippians 2

Jesus depended on His parents throughout His childhood, and then depended on women for financial support of His ministry and daily needs.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. – Luke 8:1-3

If our all-knowing, all-powerful God can experience dependence on others, shouldn’t we be willing to depend on Him?

Sheep fully rely on their shepherd. They would die without his leading, protection, and care. We will die spiritually without the leading, protection, and care of our Heavenly Father, yet we often neglect this fact. We stress and worry because we try to meet our financial and physical needs on our own. We are stagnant and do not grow because we often try to meet our spiritual needs on our own as well.

What would it look like to fully rely on our Good Shepherd? Can you truly say:

Jesus, because I have you, I have all I need.

Spirit, I will follow you wherever you lead.

Father, I trust you to know what is best for me.

Holy Spirit, grow me, teach me, and flow through me so I can LIVE like Jesus.

I can’t control my circumstances, but I am content because I rely on God.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.

Each morning when you wake, do you thank God for shelter, food, friends, and family? Do you acknowledge that you trust Him to lead and guide today? At work or school, are you filled with peace because you know God is working all things for your good? In your relationships, can you love sacrificially because Jesus first loved you?

REFLECT

1. In what areas of my life do I struggle for control? What would it look like to release these to God?

2. How has God proven Himself faithful in my life? Why do I still doubt Him?

3. Do a spiritual trust fall: Tell God you trust Him with three things that you care about most or that concern you deeply. Now leave them with Him, and learn to rely on Him to meet your needs.

PRAYER

Father, I confess I want to have it all together. I want control and I want to be able to meet all my own needs. Thank you, Jesus, for modeling dependency. Help me to let go, and trust you and trust others. I declare that with you, Jesus, I lack nothing! I will be content, I will wait on you, I will find my peace knowing that you are in control, you are good, and I can trust you. I will also allow others in your flock to care for me when I am weak. Help me to be humble and receive when I need to receive.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Listen to “Even If” by Mercy Me and allow the Holy Spirit to increase your reliance on your Heavenly Father.