Self-Reliant

We have a water softener, and the company comes around once a month to refill the salt that is needed to soften the water. Does it make a difference? Absolutely. Note only is the water free from hard minerals, but it takes much less detergent to wash clothes, dishes, and even showering. The last time they called to remind me that they were going to be in the area, I wasn’t sure if we would be home. The company doesn’t give an exact time. I told them I would pick the salt up myself. My knee was bothering me a little when I went in so I took my cane. After paying for it, the cashier apologized that there weren’t any guys there to put it in the car for me. I knew I could do it, but I’d have to take my time. A woman at the next desk saw my cane and immediately came and put the bags in the car. I thanked her profusely. The bags sat in the car for a while. I decided to take them to the basement and put it in the water barrel. I think the bags are about 40 lbs. and I had to take them down, one stair step at a time. I did get it all done, but it wore me down somewhat. I think the next time, I will juggle my schedule so that the delivery person man carry them downstairs. Sometimes we want to be so self-reliant that we do things that may not be wise. I will see what my knee and back are like tomorrow. Was it necessary to do. If I wanted good water, yes. The question is, why did I work so hard when someone else was willing to do it. We could say the same thing about our Christian faith. I often see people at extremes. One group is questioning their faith or working really hard to “accomplish God’s commands for them”. The other group is overly confident, assuming since Jesus did it all, that they can sit back and do nothing and still have the hope of eternal life. While we can’t earn our way, our faith should be active and serving God. Earning it ourselves or being over confident both have dangers. We need to both trust that God has already done everything for us and that He desires that we are about His work. Just as the water softener company called to let me know help was available, God calls us through His holy word and the Holy Spirit. The word is, however, not whether we needed help, but that help was already given. We need but receive it and live each day under His amazing rule and leading. Dear God, help me never to turn down Your help, but also to have a willing heart to do what You call us to do. Amen