Just Ask

In our society many are realizing the need for help. Yet many more of us are afraid to admit our need to ask for help. Why is that? Why is it such a struggle for us to cry out for assistance when we so desperately need it?

Asking for help when needed is smart. It’s also the answer to fatigue and the “I’m indispensable” image. So what keeps us from this wise course of action? I would say plain, stubborn unwillingness to admit need.

The greatest battle many have today is not with inefficiency but with super efficiency. It’s been bred into us by high-achieving parents, through years of high pressure competition in school by that unyielding inner voice that keeps urging us to “Prove it to ‘em” or “Show’em you can do it without anyone’s help.”

The result, painful though it is to admit, is a life style of frustrating impatience. We become easily irritated, often angry. We work longer hours. Spend less time with family and friends. Forget how to laugh. Allow longer and longer gaps between meaningful times with God’s Word. Enjoy fewer and fewer moments in prayer and meditation.

And all the while the specter of discouragement looms across our horizon like a dark storm front, threatening to choke out any remaining ray of light.

Maybe it is time we stop and realize our true calling. There is no way we can keep pushing our life at that pace and expect to stay effective.

Analyze it any way you please, we are human, nothing more. We are still qualifying for God’s Family. Step by step. Slowly but surely. All this qualifying takes time and patience.

So, slow down, let God do His work His way by developing quality in us, not quantity. We need to stop trying to cover all the bases and sell popcorn and peanuts in the stands at the same time.

We need to reread Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes. It’s a revealing Bible study. So pause for a moment. Remember God wants us all to make in into His Kingdom and not burn up or spin out.

Now once we’ve put it into neutral, so to speak, crack open the Bible to Exodus 18 and read aloud verses 18 to 27. It’s the account of a visit Jethro made to the work place of his son-in-law, Moses.

Jethro frowned as he watched Moses flash from one problem to another, from one person to another. From early morning until late at night, the harried leader of the Israelites was up to his neck in decisions and activities.

He must have looked impressive – eating on the run, ripping from one end of the camp to another, planning appointments, meeting deadlines. But Jethro wasn’t impressed.

“What is this thing that you are doing for the people?” he asked (verse 14). Moses was somewhat defensive (most too busy people are) as he attempted to justify his ridiculous schedule.

Jethro didn’t buy the story. Instead, he advised his son-in-law against trying to do everything alone. He responded to him with strong words: “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out (verses 17 and 18).

The Hebrew term here means “to become old, exhausted.” In three simple words, he told Moses to call for help.

The benefits of shifting and sharing the load? Read verses 22 and 23. “It will be easier for you … you will be able to endure.”

This is interesting. God wants our life style to be easier than most of us realize. We seem to think it’s most commendable and spiritual to have that tired-blood, overworked, underpaid, I’ve really got it tough look. You know the old martyr complex. That strained expression that conveys, “I’m working so hard, don’t you feel for me?’

We might fool some people but we are not kidding God. The truth of the matter is quite to the contrary. That hurried, harried appearance usually means, “I’m to stubborn to ease up” or “I’m too insecure to say ‘no’” or “I’m too proud to ask for help.”

Since when is a bleeding ulcer a sign of spirituality? Or, a 70 hour week a mark of efficiency? When will we learn that efficiency is enhanced not by what we accomplish but more often by what we relinquish?

We need to analyze our lives. Set priorities and drop some the nonessentials. Share some of those responsibilities with others. Simplify your life so you can give more attention to what’s really important.

In this way we all develop true character.

Are problems beginning to get you down? Feeling rotten? Too tired to pray or study the Bible – in too big of a hurry? Angered at a lot of things and people?

Let me suggest some words God loves to hear us call out when we’re angry or discouraged: “Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to Thy loving kindness” (Psalm 109:26).

We must not forget that God cares for us. He hears our cry for help no matter what the circumstances. And we must remember that God has given us His servants, the ministry whom we can and should go to for the encouragement and advice we need.