I'll Take the Crutch
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Christians are accused of and even ridiculed that our faith in God is merely a crutch. Something of a convenience rather than a real experience. A crutch to lean on when life gets tough. A crutch for when bad things happen. A crutch when we endure seasons of suffering. A crutch to use when we don't understand why certain things happen in life. A crutch for when we have run out of answers that our own logic can provide. A crutch for when the miracle happens. God is just a crutch, non-believers will say, that believers use.
Well, friends... I'll take the crutch.
And I hope every single day, I keep taking the crutch. Anyone else with me?
The presence of God in my life has made deep and staggering differences to who I am and how I live my life. Perhaps you can relate when you consider all that God has done for you, who he is, and all the promises he has made that he faithfully fulfills.
I'll gladly admit that when life gets hard, I run to God. When I don't understand or can't make sense of life, I run to God. Because in him I find wisdom and guidance. In Jesus alone, I find a peace that surpasses all understanding. With God, my days are satisfying, joyful, and abundant. Even in the hardest times, he gives me reason to rejoice.
I'm not ashamed of my faith. I'm not ashamed to need God, and to lean on God when things get hard, or to go to him first as I rejoice when the good news comes. Because only God has been faithful. Only God has shown up every single day, every hard moment, and every waking hour to be there for me. And I pray I choose him all the days of my life.
"Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God," Psalm 71:17-18
Do you pray that you'll keep your faith all your days? Consider taking up the practice of praying for yourself. Pray for when the times get tough. Pray for those moments when your faith will be stretched, or doubt tries to set up camp in your heart and mind. Pray that you will love the Lord your God every single day of your life. Pray that you'll keep taking the crutch.
Because the "crutch" is a good and loving God. An all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves you perfectly and created you in his image. Because God is holy and pure and will never let you down. This God is worth serving because he alone is faithful and just. He alone is our Lord and Savior.
Why would anyone turn down the crutch? It makes my heart sad to think of those who allow pain, pride and sin to cloud their vision and keep them from turning to God. I pray that their hearts would soften and that their faith would awake.
As for me, I'd rather not limp my way through life when I have a gracious and loving God ready to carry me.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, though others may not understand our faith, let us continue to trust you. Help us to grow in hope and faith. We ask to remain close to you all the days of our life. Let us share your Gospel and encourage others to take the crutch by putting their faith in you alone. Comfort us on hard days, give us strength when we grow weary, and calm our fears when we are navigating difficult and intense journeys through life. We praise you for your faithfulness and how good you always are. Amen.
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