Afraid to Beg?

It's amazing how small your child's voice can sound across an international phone line! To us there may not be a sweeter sound than hearing Christa's soft laughter as she conveys the latest antics of 3 1/2-year-old Sarah in Montreal. Picturing Sarah's cherubic face peering up from the level of John's kneecaps on Tuesday, tugging on his jeans as he and Christa hugged and prayed one last time before he left her for nine weeks: "Whatcha' doin'?" Sarah mused. What Sarah witnessed was a father unafraid to ask for directions. A rare sight, indeed! John was shamelessly begging God for the strength to walk out the door. Sounds a bit melodramatic! I admit it. But, think about it, when was the last time you needed God's help so badly that you (manly or sisterly) threw yourself on God's mercy? Safest place to be, yet we avoid it like the plague. Not one of us relishes (at least, not in the flesh) being broken bread or poured out wine. However, what does Christ promise to the poor in Spirit? "I live in a high and lofty place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit" For what purpose, Lord? "To revive the spirit of the lowly and...the heart of the contrite." As God told Gideon in Judges 6: "Go in the strength you have and save [your people] Israel out of [your enemy] Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?...I will be with you, and you will strike down [the enemy] the Midianites as if they were but one man." Let's not be ashamed to beg as children of God for power over the enemy He defeated on the Cross. While we are ashamed of our weakness, He is pouring His strength into every fissure like a Holy, impenetrable concrete. Let's not be ashamed to weep on His strong lap. His eternal Hands have wiped away tears before and they will do it again (Rev. 7:17; 21:4)!