“If you become a necessity to someone else’s life, you are out of God’s will.” – Oswald Chambers
“…our sympathy gets in the way.” – Chambers
“You may often have to watch Jesus Christ wreck a life before he saves it.” – Chambers
Ouch. Nothing like Oswald Chambers to bring one fully awake with a swift slap between the eyes.
I know I have been guilty of this. I have very good intentions, of course, but I am still guilty. How many times has God been working in the life of someone I love, patiently placing thorns along their path to convince him or her to choose life over death, when I swoop in like a deluded Mighty Mouse knocking aside the painful, life guiding thorns so that the one I love can meander unhindered into destruction.
Here I am to save the day!
And, not only does God have to start all over, but suddenly my loved one is no longer looking to Him for rescue because I have replaced Him as their focus.
In truth, it is a terrible burden to hold that position in the life another. There is a bitter fruit to be born from warping servitude into idolatry. It is a little like the genie in the lamp- powerful, and desired by all…but a slave.
Honestly, I want to be free of it. I want to stay out of God’s way from now on, for all of our sakes.
“Father,
Show me how to point others to You alone. Your are not only the only one who is truly able to save, but also the only one strong enough to endure that position. Your children are needy. They scream loudly. And they get so angry when I can’t deliver.
Forgive me, my God, for allowing myself to become a necessity in the lives of others. To You alone be the glory…”
– Amen
“Then Moses cried out to the LORD, ‘What am I to do with these people?They are almost ready to stone me.”
