How would you describe what it means to help? Is it someone rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to complete a task? Is it someone riding in and saving the day? Or is it opening your perspective to another’s?

While all three could define the word help, when we seek God’s help it may be the second one that we prefer, but it is the third one that actually occurs. It’s not unusual to pray to God for a specific outcome, even Jesus did that in His agony, so we are in good company. However, He did ask for the Father’s will to be done, whatever that might be. Too often it seems like we place our order for an outcome and then are disappointed when it does not happen as we desired. We may even conclude our prayers were not heard or answered. But perhaps the truth is that we were the ones that were not listening.

Asking for help can be scary. First we need to admit that we cannot do something. Then we need to listen to the one who is in a position to help us. Can you imagine seeking the aid of a piano teacher to learn how to play the instrument and then ignoring everything he or she instructs you to do?  Sometimes the remedy for our situation is not to our liking. As in the case of learning the piano, playing scales is not something most enjoy. It can be tedious and boring, but it is building a foundation and creating finger memories of the keys. And from learning the piano to asking for divine help, the resolution may not be instantaneous, it may come only after much time and the hard work of practice.

If we look to God for help, we need to be open, ready to accept anything. It means being humble and trusting in Him. When the occasional news story features a young child that saved a parent or family member by calling 911, it seems to surprise us, but why should it? The child’s actions are exactly the way we are to relate to God. A young child knows they cannot fix the situation, so they turn to whomever they think can, and sometimes that means calling 911. When we are in a situation we know we cannot change through human efforts, we need to turn to God the Father. It’s one thing to make the call, so to speak, but it is the next step that is truly important: trust. A young child trusts that whatever the 911 operator tells them will be the right thing to do. They do not second guess, they just do it to the best of their ability. We may call to God when we need His aid, but do we trust Him and follow what He tells us to do?

A humble and trusting heart does not seek its own will, but rather that of its Creator. May God convert our selfish stone hearts to open ones that not only seek His help, but follow where he leads.