God Doesn’t Need My Help – But I’m Thankful He Wants It

Unfortunately, I need this reminder more often than I’d like to admit.

I know I’m not invincible and all powerful. I gave up that delusion in my early thirties. Okay, maybe — probably — definitely later than that. At least I accept it now. Most of the time. I’m definitely not perfect at anything.

But my day-to-day life is routine. So I think I can handle it.

And therein lies another delusion. I think I can handle day-to-day life on my own.

Yes, I hold down a job, clean house, and do laundry. Pay the bills, shop for groceries, and perform all the mundane tasks that make up life.

But my most important task each day is to connect with God and do my best to turn my life over.

Because the days I don’t connect and ask God for help, it’s easier to get upset when things don’t go my way. And the larger the problem, the more upset I can become.

In my younger days, I tried to arrange everything to happen the way I wanted. That also meant trying to get others to do what I wanted them to do. Can you say self-centered control freak? UGH.

Not only was it very tiring, I was angry most of the time because life wasn’t what I wanted it to be. And I hurt others because I “spread the misery” of my unhappiness by complaining and redoubling my efforts to control everything. DOUBLE UGH.

It would be fantasy to say I’d changed because I got tired of it, and just willed myself into better habits.

When I began to connect with God and ask for His help and direction, He loved me enough to change me. He could have changed me instantly, but He didn’t.

I had to admit that my attempts to control weren’t working. In fact, it was destroying me and my relationships with others.

And then He gave me years of opportunities to practice turning life over.

I can truthfully say I never had the ability to run the universe. As much as I wanted to do so.

And also truly admit one of the marvelous sides to letting God run the universe:

Before I was born, He planned for me to accomplish certain things. And He created me for that purpose.

And those things don’t tire me out. They don’t make me angry. And thankfully, I don’t intentionally spread misery and harm to others.

I, for one, am relieved I don’t have to rule the universe – or even try to anymore. And I know that the universe, and everyone in it, are very grateful for that, too.

God doesn’t need my help. But He lets me do right-sized things He planned. I’m very thankful for that.

How has God changed you so you can help Him?

God Doesn't Need My Help – But I'm Thankful He Wants It…..How has God changed you so you can help Him? Share on X

Joni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.

May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.