By GFI board member, Randy Stahmer
The hardest part of doing anything is starting. Wouldn’t you agree?
A. The Day: Getting out of bed.
B. Exercise (like New Year’s resolutions): Getting dressed and getting on that treadmill.
C. Times of Despair: Reaching out to others who care.
D. Asking for help: Picking up the phone or opening your Bible.
These are just a few examples of our culture today. This is a culture of independence and “self” reliance. Who needs help? Not me I say with a bit (or perhaps a lot) of pride.
Today we are living in what is called the Laodicean church age. It is an age of independence from God and reliance on self. I am guilty.
In this age, the church of God on earth is a church characterized by corruption, falling away from Him and inability to stand for Him. Let me just say that not all Christian churches are characterized as being so absent of the Almighty God, but there is certainly evidence provided in the truth of scripture.

Perhaps you already are aware that the seven churches described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are descriptive of the history of mankind. From Ephesus (50-150 AD) to Laodicea (1925-Present) the bible describes the culture of the people of the period.
Further, the Laodicean church was apostate and in love with the world; not Jesus. Simply put; the church in Laodicea effectively renounced The Way (the early church) and its foundational belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In Revelation, Chapter 3:17; the church says, “we are rich; we have acquired wealth and do not need a thing”. This is the state of our world today and it is scriptural.
That does sound eerily familiar. Jesus responds to this arrogance by saying, “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I (Jesus) counsels us to buy gold from Him that is refined by the fire, so we can truly become rich; white clothes to wear, so we can cover our shameful nakedness; and salve to put on our eyes, so we can see”.
Jesus chastises the Laodicean church (us) for their (our) lukewarm condition; that is their (our) deplorable state of indifference in their loyalty and affections. At the time the church in Laodicea had a lukewarm water supply and was believed to have been barely palatable. Jesus warned the church; that like their water the people were neither hot nor cold and because of their lukewarm attitude (spiritual blindness) – He would spit them out of His mouth.
Our culture today does indeed say “We are rich” and “We do not need a thing”. It is exactly this attitude and spiritual blindness that we must bury with our pride and apply the healing salve offered. Jesus provides the salve for your eyes to see clearly. But the attitude of independence and freedom was actually a dependence on self and slavery to monotheism or faith in one god; you.
We, as sinful humans often hide our sin and cover up any indications of weakness or vulnerability.
Certainly, there are many who are truly suffering and in need of assistance. And many of them too are too proud to seek help. In a way, it might seem like an admission of failure. But, God has designed us for community, and as fellow believers, we must not only be willing to help but also unafraid to ask for help in the form of prayer, listening ear, time, talent and treasure which all belong to God.
I recently officiated at the funeral of a 96-year-old aunt. This aunt had never been married nor did she have children. Until recently, she had lived “independently” until she couldn’t. She went into the hospital and was too prideful to ask for any family to lend her aid of nearly any kind. Except for two nieces, no other family prayed with her, shopped for her, held her hand and asked her about her salvation. And because of her pride, she was too stubborn to admit the need for help.
Another friend of mine (who is 84) has a wife who is undergoing late stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, his wife just had a major stroke and is in the hospital. I meet weekly with this friend and just heard about his wife from a third party. This friend wanted privacy and I respect that, but in times of despair, can we open our hearts to let people in? I too, am guilty, as charged.
Swallow that pride!
Many who know me; also know that I grew up largely fatherless and as a result, I think, I have mountain-sized trust issues. “Trust No One!” That is my mantra and it has always seemed to be the safest place. But, our Creator says, Trust Me. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight”.
I think it is okay to ask for help if you truly need it. I am not saying to rely on others to do everything for you. And I certainly am not advocating for a welfare state. God does give each of us unique gifts and abilities. Seek to discover what unique gift God has given you and then exercise the gift by giving it back to the Lord and in service to others.
The eighth chapter of II Corinthians, verse 9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that you through His poverty might become rich”.
So, with every coin, there are two sides. Our human condition also has two sides. One side of the human condition is to take or take advantage of (e.g. someone or situation). The other side of the human condition is to put up walls and go it alone. I believe that neither of these conditions is good and neither of these conditions is in accordance with the will of God or His desire for His children.
I believe that it is imperative to become the conduit for God’s work and not the stumbling block to God’s work. Like the Roman aqueducts that transported water six miles to the City of Laodicea, we must be willing to carry the message of the Good News of Jesus by first understanding our place in His Kingdom and second striving to be His ambassadors by following Him no matter what doors He opens or where He is leading. Be equally willing to give (from the abundance of God) and to receive the gifts of Godly grace, care and love from fellow believers. There are many entrusted with the love of God through His Holy Spirit who are ready to say yes and to freely share His love and grace.
It is through this surrender of self to the Almighty God that we find peace, true joy and purpose. May I help you??