Tip of My Iceberg

Several reels are going around lately that show a man driving a car, responding with a sense of forced gratitude to his wife, who is telling him to drive faster, put on his signals, slow down, or park right there. The wife is always referred to as “his little helper”, as if he can’t imagine driving without her help–a comment dripping with sarcasm.

I’m that little helper. John drives too slow for me, so I always remind him what the speed limit is, and a few miles over the limit isn’t a bad thing. He also doesn’t use his turn signals when changing lanes, and I pester him to put them on so those behind him will know his intent.

It’s my perception that my remarks are making him a better driver. His discernment reflects that I’m annoying him immensely.

All I want to do is help.

Isn’t it true that many times we chime in to add our “wisdom and insight” because we want to help someone who seems to need the understanding we have? Our suggestions aren’t always welcomed; our input isn’t always received well.

With Easter just past, it’s relevant that we consider how God wants to help us become better people. He did create each of us in His image, and He longs to have a relationship with each one of us based on His great love, not on who we are or what we produce.

When Jesus was crucified, He underwent the worst possible execution the Romans could come up with. The Jews weren’t allowed to deal in capital punishment, so they needed the Romans to find fault with Jesus. The religious leaders. lied to make their case. “‘This Man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the roman government and by claiming His is the Messiah, a King.’” Luke 23:2 Though the Roman governor, Pilate, found no fault with Him, the religious leaders incited the crowds to demand Jesus’ death.

Why, when He had never done anything deserving of such punishment, did Jesus choose to undergo such torture?

He came to provide what we needed to reestablish a relationship with the One who made us.

“Jesus shouted to the crowds, ‘If you trust Me, you are trusting not only Me, but also God who sent Me. For when you see Me, you are seeing the One who sent Me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark,” John 12:44-46.

He came to provide a way for us to spend eternity with God. Many will follow Him and trust that He will do as He says. But there will be many who won’t want Jesus’ help, who want to do what’s right in their own eyes and not listen to anyone else. They would prefer to make it on their own.

The problem with that we can’t even follow through on our best intentions. We’re all a mixture of good and bad; we can’t live perfect lives.

And perfection is what is required to enter heaven.

We may each be annoying in our attempts to help others because we think we know what’s best.

But listening to and following the One who does know best?

That’s hope and a help I’ll readily accept.