Windsurfer

 Dependence or Independence 

The last few weeks I’ve  been meditating on some quotes and verses about dependence on God …

Jim Denison states: “America’s theological creed could be, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ More than 80 percent of Americans believe the phrase is in the Bible, and three-fourths of those surveyed agree with its sentiment. Theologian Dean Ulrich counters this sentiment, ‘God does not help those who help themselves. Rather, he helps those who cannot help themselves, know it, and rely on him.’”

A. W. Pink notes, “The great mistake made by most of the Lord’s people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone.”  

Bill Bright adds, “The Christian life isn’t difficult, it’s impossible—without the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Abraham Lincoln observed: “It is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God . . . and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

How does this dependence work in our spiritual life? Who is responsible for our growth? I think people tend to take one of three approaches:

1. Rowboat Approach - This is the Self Effort path. If I am going to grow, it is up to me. Striving. My will. Try harder. Earn it. Rules. Row harder. It’s 100% up to me. Eventually, people who take this approach either feel like a failure or become a Pharisee.

2. Raft Approach - Let go and let God. It’s not up to me. If nothing happens, God didn’t do it. Float along. Don’t take any responsibility.

3. Windsurfer Approach - With a windsurfer, nothing happens if the wind doesn’t blow but the windsurfer is a real player in the process. The windsurfer reads the wind and knows how to lean into it and cooperate. He learns balance on the board and strengthens himself for this journey.  

I think this third approach mirrors the way God intends for us to grow. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the wind. We cannot grow apart from cooperating with the wind of the Spirit. However, we can choose to lean into His work by meditating on Scripture, practice wise spiritual disciplines, saying YES to his sanctifying process and abiding in Him. 

There is a God role and a human responsibility role in our spiritual growth. Many verses affirm this balance. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you (Phil. 1:12-13). For this purpose I labor, striving according to His power (Col.1:29). I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). We cannot live our life in Christ without dependence on the life of Christ.

Michael Sprague