I’ve Been Thinking —

— about how direct and how strong the link is between God, His people, and their well-being.

We in the West have a fairly prevalent “bootstrap index” in our thinking.
“If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.”
” I Got This ”
(or its 2-year-old version, “I do it my LONE!”)

With our society having largely adopted a humanistic* philosophy over the last 50-60 years, it seems natural and acceptable.
*Humanistic, as opposed to Theistic – major difference.

I’ve become acutely aware in the last 5 years, that God’s methods don’t include bootstrap, I got this, anywhere. Scriptures record some remarkable things, but He’s always involved. Always.

So it’s no surprise to me, it shouldn’t surprise any of us, when we read:
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Psalms 127.1 NIV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Jesus: John 15.5 NIV)

Nothing?! Apparently. Noted.

…It’s Christ who lives in me. And the life I now llive in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2.20 NIV)

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1.29 NIV)

So striving and struggling is OK. Even expected.
But Almighty God, the Spirit, Jesus, my savior, redeemer, and friend -the Trinity- is directly involved.
Good to know.