Self Reliance...con't.

Long ago I posted on self-reliance. I have since spent quite some time reflecting on this fact in my own life. I kept coming up against the same question. "What is my part to do, and what is the Lord's part?" Here is what my hero has to say about the matter.

I shall put all my confidence in your mercy, and shall distrust my own strength, convinced that my weakness is caused by my self-reliance. St. Teresa of Avila

As long as we are trying to struggle on our own spiritual 'capital', we will get creamed! Jesus is our capital. For me, and I think most of us, the first movement of my intellect and will when tempted is to grit my teeth and resist. Of course, we are to resist but not with our own strength. Christ is our strength.

God indeed is my savior. I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. Isaiah 12:2

To struggle on my own is to fall into pride. I say "Stand back, God. I can handle this one!" Well, we can't, and he knows it. Humility is the recognition that I **absolutely** need God for everything. We really want to think that we don't need God at some level. We fall into the trap of the 'rugged individualist' which in unChristian. St Paul states,

It is God who, in his good will toward you, begets any measure of desire or achievement. Philippians 2:13

Thus, our first movement should always be towards Christ, seeking grace and help in need.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Then and only then are we equipped to "fight the good fight" with Christ's strength.

This is not our 'default' procedure. We have to ask for the grace. We have to practice. We will fail; therefore, we have to get back up again, brush ourselves off, and resolve to cooperate with God's grace more deeply.