Depend on Jesus

June 16

"Two are better than one ... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

INTERDEPENDENCE

Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak.

They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other.

After their graduation, they planned to practice law together. – Unknown

Although it is wonderful to work side-by-side, in concert with another who is like-minded in his goals, the truth of the matter is that much can be accomplished through independent effort.

The labor of a Thomas Edison or an Albert Einstein or a Jonas Salk was accomplished without the help of another, without the vote of a committee. Much of what has transpired as the world’s loftiest achievements have been done through the sweat and dedication of a single man with a vision.

Another factor that cannot be dismissed is the presence and power of the Lord with a man who He calls to His purposes. As Gideon who felt inadequate to the task the Lord tapped him to perform (See Judges 6-8), men today are also empowered supernaturally to execute the assignments the Holy One gives them to do.

We must never consider ourselves to be alone when we face great challenges. We must always remember that One is with us who has assured us that we can do all things through Him, Philippians 4:13, for HE shall “teach us all things,” John 14:26, and give us the strength we need to perform all He calls us to do, whether with another or on our own.