Nothing On My Own

‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’ John 5:30-47

We often think we can stand on our own and we don't need anyone else. Even Jesus, the son of God and Savior of the world knew better. We are products of this very earth, made of dust, and carried by loving parents before we could walk. And as adults we can believe in our total independence and cut ourselves off from family and others we disagree with. In this age, very few adults could survive a even a few days without all the services and appliance other people create and provide. This Lent is an opportunity to renew our gratitude for all who make us able to function and thrive.

Loving Creator, you are always among us

you are within us and surrounding us

we may not see you or acknowledge you

but you give us breath and make heart beat.

We are smug, arrogant and ego driven

we believe that we can conquer our enemies

thinking that they are the cause of our pain

when our separation from you is why we weep.

Help us today Lord to take a careful inventory

make us keenly aware of the countless throng

who have helped us through our darkest days

and your love which will carry us through tomorrow. Amen.