Could This Be God Increasing Our Dependence?

If godly faith only moves in the theater of dependence, could God be increasing our dependence on Him to expand our faith? Could this be the design of our crisis? Are we being called out to embrace our weakness so Christ’s strength will rise? Are we experiencing an apparent defeat so our eyes will be solely focused on Jesus to be our strength? Talk about, “Never waste a crisis!” Is our Father making the most of the opportunity? Could it be that this crisis is just the occasion needed to wake us up and call us closer?

Increasing Our Dependence

Think about entering a battlefield, one of the worst positions for a soldier to take is—chest out, arms open wide and heart exposed.  Yet this is how the Lord wants us to enter our battle. Wow! Over the last few weeks I have found myself physically positioning myself for surrender. When I have felt my heart closing off, I have opened my arms and exposed my heart and chest. I proclaim, “I will be open to you, Lord!”

While the crisis, chaos, confusion have made many of us withdrawal, I realized my closure was total. I was starting to protect my heart from the situations which God was orchestrating. Hence, I was shutting God out. It isn’t like I have to run into the battle begging to be a punching bag. But when we seek self-sustained safety we usually wall everything out and ourselves in. I can’t do this life without Jesus, so I have demonstratively opened myself…usually while walking in the mountains. May look strange to those on the path, but it has worked!

Opening Wide to God

Somehow the stance of being open, while proclaiming my refusal to close my heart to Christ has helped. Maybe it is just me that needs a physical action to reveal my inward choices but it seems to work. And boy have I needed it! The temptation hurdled at us from many vocal sources is to make us be quiet, hide or cower in fear. Each of these stances are saving self and closing up. I can’t close up and live my life. Life with Jesus is open and vulnerable to Him. It is not resisting the evil rather it is embracing His sovereign Will.

My Father is able to protect my heart as I live opened to Him. On the other hand, when I close off I am my protector and preventing His fathering. What I have learned is that what He owns, He protects and maintains. This includes our hearts and lives. He is trustworthy and perfectly able to keep both.

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.