In our Ash Wednesday service we sang the hymn ‘Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days.’ It was written by the English hymn writer and poet Claudia Hernaman in the 19th Century and encourages followers of Jesus to use the season of Lent for introspection, repentance, and spiritual growth. This year the first verse really spoke to me, with it’s powerful ending “close by thee to stay.” As we move further into the Lenten season that hymn prompts me to ask, “Who and what do we strive to stay close to on a daily basis?”

It strikes me that the number one stumbling block for most of us is self-sufficiency. We find comfort in our abilities, knowledge, and achievements. Do we really trust God, or do we rely on our own strength to navigate challenges and pursue success? In the bustling chaos of life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-sufficiency. We strive to prove our worth, seeking recognition and validation from the world around us. Too often that leads to pride and an inflated sense of our own importance.

As followers of Christ, we are called to a different way of living—a life of surrender and dependency on our Heavenly Father. Holding precious Trevor in my arms last year really hammered home true dependency to me. I was in Kitale, Kenya not by my own doing, in fact it was despite my best efforts to avoid the call to Africa. Once there I had to face the reality of my incompetence in the face of overwhelming need. Yet, in that acknowledgement and surrender God showed me that I was in fact totally competent to love and make a difference. I simply let go and let God. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us of this essential truth: our competence, our sufficiency, comes not from ourselves but from God.

Dependency also reminds me of the day my son Ben and I climbed Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, the massive 1,142 foot tall rock formation located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It rises abruptly from the flat desert landscape around it and on that particular day it was quite windy. As we made our way toward the top a gust of wind grabbed Ben and tossed him off to the side. Had he not been “close by me” he might have tumbled down the path and been injured. Yet he was trusting me to lead him to the top, and as a dutiful Father I was guiding and watching closely each step of the way.

As we walk these 40 days with Jesus let’s focus on giving up the only thing that really matters: our selves. Paul’s words invite us to reevaluate our perspective. We are not meant to rely on our limited capabilities but to trust in the boundless power and wisdom of God. It is when we humbly acknowledge our insufficiency that God’s strength can be made perfect in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our journey as believers is one of continual surrender, recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal significance (John 15:5).

It is in letting go that we become free. When we release the burden of self-sufficiency and entrust our lives to God, a remarkable transformation takes place. Instead of striving, we find rest in His loving embrace. We exchange anxiety for peace, for it is in God’s sufficiency that our hearts find true contentment. Our weaknesses become opportunities for His strength to be revealed (2 Corinthians 12:10). It’s scary, but letting go is worth it. Trust me, I know!

Of course embracing our dependence on God does not imply sitting idly by and doing nothing. We’re not just along for the ride. Rather, we’re invited to partner with the One who equips and empowers us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). Our role is to align our hearts and minds with His purposes, to seek His guidance, and to allow His Spirit to work in and through us. In surrendering our abilities to God, we discover a greater capacity for His divine intervention and transformation in our lives.

Today, let us lay down the weight of self-sufficiency and embrace the liberating truth that our competence comes from God. May we find solace in knowing that we are not alone in our endeavors, for the Creator of the universe walks beside us, guiding our every step. As we relinquish control and surrender to His sufficiency, we will witness His grace flowing through us, bringing glory to His name and impacting the lives of those around us.

As you move into the weekend I invite you to pray with me: Almighty God, thank You for reminding me that I am not meant to rely on my own abilities. Help me to surrender my self-sufficiency and trust in Your unfailing competence. Teach me “close by you” to stay, leaning on Your strength, wisdom, and guidance in all aspects of my life as I walk these 40 days toward the cross with Jesus. May Your sufficiency be made evident in my weakness, as I surrender to Your divine work in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.