Have you heard people suggest Christianity is a crutch for the weak and naïve? A crutch is used by people for support when injured. If seeking God and going to church is considered a crutch, what better support can we receive in a world filled with anger, mistrust, and anxiety? The Creator of the universe invites us to lean on Him while we gain our footing. A crutch is temporary. Jesus offers to remain with us as we face a world that will hurt us again and again.
Who has not been wounded or injured emotionally, physically, or spiritually? Who does not need hope? What do people rely on to get themselves through life’s struggles and difficult times? People turn toward material possessions, money, food, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, and sex. Rather than being viewed as signs of weakness, many of these vices are considered acceptable in society. Many of these crutches only offer a short-term release from the struggles of life and sometimes only cover up more profound problems. To live, we need support, encouragement, and hope. We need to trust and believe that God can help us throw off the crutches that slow us down and prevent us from doing what He desires for us.
Many believers, including those who previously relied on the world’s crutches, testify to the transformative effect their faith has had on their lives. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us to let Him help us with our burdens. He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus invites believers to lean on Him as we seek to cast off their worldly vices and find our way to Him. He also reminds His church to help one another. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 shares: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”.
God wants what is good for us. He does not wish the troubles of life to cause us to turn to a world that offers temporary relief with a placebo that hides or mask our created purpose. When asked why Jesus connected with the hurting, sinners and broken, He replied: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”. Luke 5:33
Jesus never offered temporary aide but said He will be with us for all time. Jesus does encourage His followers to help one another, but we must eventually move from our dependence on each other. His invite wasn’t a call to be a better person with high self-esteem or a plan to help us scrape through our existence. It was a call to acknowledge that the help and forgiveness we all seek is found only in Him. Proverbs 3 shares: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” As we grow in our Christian communities, we should be guided to depend on Jesus. He is the one who delivers us from the world’s crutches. With the Holy Spirit’s prompting and support, we can be directed to trust and lean on God.