Subtle Help
“Help” can feel like a four-letter word, maybe similar to a cuss word, when we resent the need for external assistance. For me, sometimes “help” can feel like weakness, inadequacy, instability, uncertainty and disadvantage. When I was younger, these descriptions were entirely repulsive to me because I wanted nothing to do with anything that could create dependence. I prided myself on being independent when I was young, and I still prioritize this value even as I continue to age.
The problem, however, with independence is that it fosters isolation and the absence of connection, teamwork, interdependence and intimacy. I’ve also learned that teamwork is the soil for growing incredible results. You can see the benefits of teamwork in big and small accomplishments everywhere in our daily living. For example, the cars we drive are the outcome of a vast array of teams. The same holds true for fruits, vegetables, meat, etc., that we buy from the grocery store. It’s also highly probable that you’re part of a team, in some fashion, through your job, a school project, raising kids, joining a book club, doing a service project or lots of other contexts.
It’s important for us to recognize the importance of teams and our need for help because these paradigms can be essential to welcoming Holy Spirit into greater involvement in our daily living. To that end, let’s remember that in Jesus’ introduction of Holy Spirit to His disciples in John 14:16, Jesus identifies Holy Spirit as “another Helper.” Rather than revel in independence, let’s recognize that we need a lot of Help on any given day.
As you read this now, perhaps you could use some help in various ways:
o to figure out your budget
o with self-control for your eating
o in navigating a sticky situation at work or school
o to make a difficult decision
o supernatural input and intervention
o with wisdom to understand your perceptions and values
In all of these examples and heaps more, we would be very wise to welcome Holy Spirit to participate in our lives with supernatural help. When we ask Holy Spirit to help us, let’s also be flexible to receive help however Holy Spirit would choose to help us. Sometimes after we ask for help, it’s easy to assume that we can figure out “how” we want Holy Spirit’s help – methods, strategies, possible solutions, tactics, etc.
I’ve made the mistake very often of telling Holy Spirit how to help me. Thankfully, I’m learning not to handcuff Holy Spirit to my ideas and methods. When I let Holy Spirit have full permission to help me in any way, the outcomes are lots better than when I try to “control” the methods and processes. At the same time, I also find that Holy Spirit’s help can often be subtle, gentle and creative.
No matter what’s happening in our lives, nor the season in which we find ourselves, let’s be committed to receiving continual help from Holy Spirit. Feel free to grab your copy of Friendship with Holy Spirit! This is my newest book and could be a really valuable guide to foster a deeper friendship with Holy Spirit!