The One Thing We All Need Right Now

Inside: There’s only one remedy for the sickness that plagues our world today. And it has nothing to do with political parties and hashtags, soap boxes and sides, movements and slogans. ~

Look around. Watch the news. Scroll through your social media feeds. Listen to people talking in the next booth. I don’t know about you, but it seems obvious to me that we are all in need of some serious saving right now.

Never mind for a minute about platforms and hashtags, soap boxes and sides, movements and slogans. There’s really only one solution, one remedy, one antidote to the sickness that plagues our world today.

The Answer

The answer isn’t found in a relationship, a cause, a survival plan, a medication, a special diet, an exercise regimen, a political party, an elected official, an identity, a book, a podcast, a series of laws or anything else we can come up with that might provide some temporary (or even long-lasting) relief.

No, what we need is a Savior.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you,” the Apostle James tells us. “Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!” (James 4:8)

Timely Message

Sounds like a message for us today, doesn’t it? All of us, I’d venture to add, no matter how long we’ve been wearing (or wielding, as the case may be) the name of Christ.

We need a Savior and—thanks to what Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago—we have One. The “great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands”—He is it.

The Most High—the very “One who steadies the pillars of the earth”—is the Rock of our salvation, our refuge in every generation, a “helper who is always found in times of trouble.”

He is our Savior.

He is THE Savior.

It’s Not Our Job

We can (and should) aim to make a difference in our own circles of influence, large or small. But God doesn’t ask any of us to be anyone else’s savior.

This hits a bit close to home for people who tend to be fixers, people with loved ones who are struggling in one way or another, people who sometimes think the Holy Spirit could use a little help with His convicting or counseling efforts.

People like me, that is, and maybe like you too.

Leave the Fixing to God

At this point in my life, God has given me some specific roles to fill. As wife, mother, sister, friend and neighbor, I’m called to encourage, help, listen, comfort and (always) pray.

I am not called to fix, control or save. And neither are you.

We must leave that work to God.

He took care of it—all of it—on the cross. What Jesus did there has no exclusions, no exceptions and certainly no expiration date.

He saved us then. He saves us now. He will save us throughout eternity.

And best of all? He offers this salvation to us as a gift of grace, free for the accepting.

♥ Lois

Notes: The names and descriptions of God included above can be found in Nehemiah 1:5, as well as Psalms 47:2, 75:3, 95:1, 90:1, 46:1 and 42:5. This post was adapted from a piece that first appeared here in March 2018.

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Inspire Me Monday, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.