Sep 22, 2015

The Best Support

by Caleb Crouch

Edgewater SDB Church, FL

Have you ever wanted a friend to spend the night at your house? Nothing fancy, just a regular old sleep over. To a kid — or even a youth, really (I’m sixteen and my view hasn’t changed a whole lot), to us — the logistics seem simple. Your friend packs a change of clothes and a toothbrush, and goes back home in the morning. No biggie.

But there’s an obstacle in your way: the parents (cue intense piano score). Normally asking them wouldn’t be a problem, but you know they’ve had a rough day, and then there was that spat this morning over the state of your room (Hey, the room is clean. They didn’t say anything about the closet.) and, all things considered, you’re rather nervous about asking them. Scared, even.

So what do you do?

I’ve found there’s a common (and simple) strategy often deployed by young folk in this tough situation: bring your friend. Now, you’d never be able to convince him to ask for you, but there’s some psychological benefit to just having him with you. Having him stand in the room as you ask seems to soften the atmosphere, and makes you more at ease. (I bet some European scientist has done research and figured out the “sciencey” bits as to why this works. Someone Google that and get back to me).

 

 

But anyway, I’ve found that this is one of those cool examples that God gave us to help us understand our relationship with Him better. You see, sometimes God asks us to do a lot of stuff for Him. Not that I’m complaining (to be honest, there’s no way we could do enough for Him), but sometimes the things He asks of us are hard. Sometimes they’re scary. Often they’re uncomfortable.

More than once I’ve gotten that same queasy ask-my-parents feeling about doing something He’s asked of me. I get nervous, and indecisive, and sometimes outright scared. But here’s the neat thing: if following His will is the metaphoric asking-your-parents, then God Himself is the metaphoric friend-asking-with-you.

It doesn’t matter where you are or who you’re with, if you’re a child of God, His presence is always with you. He’ll support, encourage, and empower you through any and all tasks He’s set before you. So don’t be scared to follow God — He’s the best support you can get.

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).