Learning to lean

August 2, 2007

By Jerry Scott

A classic gospel song says, “I’m learning to lean, learning to lean, learning to lean on Jesus. Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus” (HeartWarming Music/BMI, 1976, John Stallings).

That is not a position most people would aspire to, is it? We work to be self-sufficient, to feel in control of our circumstances. But I am learning that trying to appear more in control than I am only makes me look foolish and, even worse, cuts me off from the very resources I need.

When I go to trusted friends and ask for counsel my level of stress goes down and I am better able to deal with life. When I bow my head before the Lord and admit my failures and weakness, He comforts me and — often in that very moment — reveals the next step.

Learning to lean on Jesus begins with the realization we cannot save ourselves. Oh, how we try! Most of us, especially in the confidence of youth, believe we can overcome our world by getting an education, working hard, committing to moral principle, or accumulating wealth and/or influence. Some succeed partially, for a time, if they are fortunate enough to have brains, brawn or heritage that gives them a running head start.

But, sooner or later, every person begins to grasp that his best efforts are futile. New problems arise for which he has no answers. The flaws in his character become too obvious to ignore any longer. The flood of human depravity that washes over the world reaches his door in one way or another. Or, he is trampled by the stampede of time, which no one can stop. What then? Many come to despair in those moments. Others bravely stand on the deck of the sinking ship trying to ignore the obvious. Some escape into distractions of pleasure.

The real solution comes when one looks up in response to the whisper of the Holy Spirit calling each of us to consider the ways of God!

Elijah, the mighty prophet of ancient Israel, after the day of his greatest victory when fire fell from heaven and the false prophets were defeated soundly, realized he was no match for the sinful forces of the nation. He ran to escape, but there was no relief, no peace, until God found him.

“When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, ‘So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?’ ” (1 Kings 19:13, The Message). In God’s presence Elijah found strength. The great man grew even greater that day as he learned to lean more on the Lord!

What is your challenge today? No matter what it is, for all of humanity the paradox remains: True strength to overcome any challenge is found in weakness. The Cross — a symbol of shame and death — becomes the point where God’s eternal power intersects with our weakness. There we find, by faith, His life that overcomes our death!

So we embrace the Cross, listen to the Holy Spirit, and trust God with our every need. In doing so, we discover the pressure of life that seems to be crushing us to death can lead us to life that is lasting and eternal through God’s gift of grace.

Here’s a word to prayerfully ponder today: “He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord’ ” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, NIV).

Learn to lean on Jesus, knowing that “when you are weak, He is strong!”

“Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus.”

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.