Some people compare faith in God to using a crutch. This theory that people of faith use God as a crutch quickly falls apart. It is true that faith in God supports us during difficult times and we depend on God to hold us up when we are broken and weak, but that’s where the comparison ends.
- A crutch is controlled by the person using it and is temporary. God is uncontrollable and eternal.
- We can’t wait until we are strong enough to toss the crutch aside. We know that we are strongest in the presence of God.
God is uncontrollable and eternal.
This statement can be polarizing. I am drawn to God and trust Him completely; therefore, this part of His nature is exciting and fills me with anticipation for what God will do next.
For those who don’t know God, this statement might be terrifying. They fear what God will do next. They worry about what God will ask if they turn to Him. They wonder what they will have to give up.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
Those who do not know the love of God fear His uncontrollable and unpredictable nature. Those who know the depth of God’s love can relax and enjoy the adventure of following Him down unknown paths because we trust Him to always be with us.
How can we help draw people to God?
By having compassion for them in their struggle to accept a God whose ways are higher than our ways. By showing His love to them. By imitating our Father to the best of our ability and pointing others to His goodness, mercy, grace, and truth.
We were all once lost, and it was God’s love that drew us to Him. God’s love is perfect. He loved us before we loved Him. He’s still searching for His lost sheep and celebrating when He returns home with them.
Faith is not a crutch, it is a way of life. A lifestyle of faith is full of adventure and requires a lifetime of learning. Developing our relationship with God is a never ending process that keeps us growing, encourages us to love more unconditionally, and raises our awareness of Him in our daily lives.
The one thing I do like about comparing faith to a crutch is that a crutch is highly visible. When someone walks into a room with a crutch, you see it! Faith can be invisible, our stealthy faith can fly under the radar so no one even realizes where our source of strength lies.
So maybe we can take one lesson from the crutch and let our faith in Jesus be so evident that everyone knows that He is our strength, our hope, and our joy. In this new year, let’s make the effort to let our faith lead the way as we shine God’s love into this world.
Let our dependence on God be evident in all we do so that others will see and be drawn to Jesus, the source of our strength.
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I want to follow Jesus! How do I get started?
“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
1 John 4:13-15
If you are ready to join the family of God, simply believe and ask. You can choose your own words or pray the prayer below. God hears your heart, simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and let the Spirit lead you.
“Father, I want to be yours. I believe that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and thank you for the gift of salvation through Him. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and surrender my life to You. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Feel free to spend time just talking to God and sharing your heart with Him. Let Him speak to you and listen as He leads you forward into new life. Welcome to the family.
Need to talk or have questions? Feel free to reach out and contact me.