A Reflection On Dependence

When I need to rely wholly on God

Every one of our days should begin with a “declaration of dependence.” We should start each morning with an emphatic acknowledgment: “Lord, I am insufficient in everything I will encounter today. I have insufficient wisdom to make the decisions I’ll be required to make. I have insufficient strength to resist the temptations I’ll face. I have insufficient skills to manage the conflict that may arise. I have insufficient resources to minister to the people I’ll encounter. I am entirely dependent on You.”

The blessing of the gospel is that in our insufficiency, Jesus is sufficient. Salvation began when we recognized that our righteousness was insufficient to coexist peacefully and eternally with a holy God, and it has continued ever since into every arena of our lives. We are deficient in every meaningful way. Embrace that deficiency, and let the eternal Vine be your life.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

John 15:4