"Jesus, I need you.."

This is something that I say quite frequently. It’s not an empty phrase, but a heartfelt confession and prayer. Jesus is literally my lifeline and I can do nothing without Him. However, I’ve been guilty of trying to.

I can remember being so busy that I hadn’t even realized how distant I had become in my relationship with God. I was doing a lot FOR Him but couldn't see that I wasn’t doing much WITH Him. I allowed myself to slip into a spiritual coma; my heart was beating, I was breathing, but there wasn’t much life….AND I’M IN MINISTRY! I wasn’t backslidden but I was living life backwards.

I don’t know if you can handle my transparency but I know there are many who can relate to this issue. Maybe you’re not in ministry but how much of your life is being lived without God? Sure, He’s always there but is He always included? Do you allow Him to be involved in every aspect of your life? It amazes me how many people have come to me about situations in their life or in their ministry. I often ask “have you prayed about it yet?” and more often than not, the answer is no. I can’t help but think “what can I do about your situation that God can’t do?!” Am I saying that I don't want people coming to me when they’re in trouble or when they need advice? Not at all. What I’m saying is don’t come to me before you’ve taken it to the One who is full of all wisdom! Again, I was guilty of this.

John 15 says “apart from me, you can do nothing”. That's exactly what I was doing; a whole lot of NOTHING. I was busy working, leading and striving, but accomplishing nothing. This only led to great frustration. I quickly realized that I wasn’t smart enough, strong enough, or wise enough to do anything on my own and I needed Jesus to help me. I didn’t want to live my life without Him. I’ve learned that my life and ministry has the greatest impact when He’s breathing on it, and His breath does so much more than I could ever strive to do. So before I lead worship, before I head into a battle, before giving anyone advice, before leading my family, and in the middle of a storm, I simply say “Jesus, I need You” and I pray about it all. He gives me peace, strength, wisdom, and grace to do His will.

So what’s frustrating you? What issue in life has you tangled up in anxiety? Is there a problem wearing you down? Say this… “Jesus, I need You.”

John Wilds is the Worship & Arts Pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach, FL. Thank you sharing your heart with us!

Check out next week's blog as we take another step on "The Journey!"