05 Nov Right Person for the Job

I have confessed two addictions from the pulpit, many times. One is food. By God’s grace, I have gotten that addiction under control. The other is more complicated. The best way I can describe it is like this: I am addicted to the attention, approval of, and validation by others. Simply put, I need everybody to be my friend. I also have this addiction largely under control. But it can be very sneaky. I can slip into this addiction without realizing it. But again, by God’s Grace, I usually catch it quickly. In this addiction, I’m asking other people to do for me what only God can do.

I want to be able to trust them completely. I want them to make me happy. I want them to make me feel good about myself. Truth be told, whether it rises to addiction level or not, most people have at least some tendencies to fall into this trap. Here are some examples:

• A person wants their spouse “to make them happy.” No one person can be asked to do that.
• When your spouse falls short of “making you happy,” you seek that happiness in the arms of another person.
• A person is envious when someone they consider their “best friend” has someone else that person considers their best friend.
• When you count on a politician to bring you happiness; when you focus on that person more than you do on God.

These are just a few examples of how we rely on people who are as broken in sin as we are to be our god. When we do this, we forget that Jesus did for us what only He could do:

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 (NIV)

Stop a moment and read that verse again. Let it permeate both your mind and your heart. God became human, came to earth and intentionally, willingly, died the most brutal of deaths so that you could have eternal life with Him. This sacrifice also provides the grace by which you can be sustained during your time in this world. Now, go back and read that verse yet again. And then ask yourself a question.

How could I possibly trust anyone else with anything before I trust it with Christ? Jesus is the God who created everything, but I’m going to put my faith in someone He created and not Him? The very idea sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it? Yet you and I do this very thing often if not daily.  To drive this point home, I leave you with two verses that both have the address 25:1

Lord, you are my God;  I will exalt you and praise your name. For in perfect faithfulness (emphasis mine) you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 (NIV)

When you are looking for a Savior, there is only one Person for the job. I pray that you trust only Him this and every day.