I Can’t Even Walk…
I Can’t Even Walk…
By Dennis Huebshman
Many years ago, I identified with a Charles Schultz cartoon showing Linus talking to someone just out of sight. He starts in the first frame with a raised fist and saying, “I’m Independent!”. Next Frame, “I can walk on my own…”; next frame he looks down and arm pointing down, “…two, two feet!”. Last frame fist is up again and he’s just looking at whoever it is he was talking to. (any emphasis mine)
It sounds cute and funny, until we take a real look at ourselves, and realize that sometimes that’s how God sees us. Oh, we’re so “edu-ma-cated” and “so-fist-a-cated” that the world needs to be totally impressed that we’re around. However, when someone really makes a reality check and realizes just how “insignificant” we really are to this world; we could really enter a deep state of depression.
Satan is only too happy to cater to our need to feel important, and will gladly entice us with every worldly craving there is. If we start to have thoughts about our eternal soul, he uses one of his biggest lies – “Don’t worry about that right now; there’s plenty of time to take care of that later”. He would love for us to believe we totally control our future. “Don’t apply common sense here; just live, laugh and have fun!”
Then reality sets in, and hopefully before it’s too late. Once our last breath is taken on this earth, the condition of our soul at that instant determines where we will spend eternity. There are not multiple choices here; only one of two, and the choice will be totally ours.
Working in a hospital environment, and having witnessed death at all stages and at all ages (neonate to over 100 years), the fragility of this life becomes very real. When someone is older and has had, or currently has serious medical conditions, it’s not a big shock when they finally pass away. It’s said they lived a long life; but did they?
On the other side, when a younger person enters the Emergency Room due to accident or acute medical failure, their death becomes significant. One realizes this person hadn’t planned, at that moment, to enter eternity. Also, regardless of religious beliefs, the thought comes to mind, where the soul of that person might have gone. Some will say it didn’t go anywhere as death is final and all there is – that’s it – nothing else.
However having witnessed different reactions at the moment of death, ranging from a calm peaceful passing, to having someone pleading to not let them die just yet, can be very unnerving. This was before I had fully accepted Jesus as my Savior, but even then there were noticeable differences. It seemed people that had “religion” were not as distressed as those who didn’t. I found out much later, that it wasn’t the “religion”, but their “relationship” with Jesus that made all the difference.
Several careers and many years later, I realized that without Jesus in my life, I truly was insignificant, and my future was unsecure. One day, I took a real look at my own mortality, and realized I was helpless on my own. I further realized that if I had died before that moment, I would be facing forever in Hell. I talked to Jesus, and asked Him to be my Savior. Then I did something I had never done before – I read the Bible cover to cover for myself. I had been told all my life up to then (about 40 years old), what God’s word said, but just didn’t seem to have time to check it out in person.
After reading several translations; KJV, NKJV, NASB and even a “devotional Bible”; I found the English Standard Version (ESV) was best for me. Anyone who ever asks what version would be best for them, I always advise them to check out True Translations, and find the one easiest for them to understand. The main thing is to have a “study Bible” and read daily to set a lifestyle. When this occurs, you will be uncomfortable if a day is missed.
The more I learned about our Heavenly Father, and all that has been done for our benefit, I realized how significant He had been in my life, even without me realizing it. I also found out there had been prayer warriors (family and other loved ones) that had been holding me up to the Father regularly.
Even though the Father will never force anyone to accept Him, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, He will honor prayers and put something or someone in our paths as a possible guide. Even with this, it’s still up to each individual to accept or reject Him. It was at a point in my life that I was ready to secure my Eternal Home with Jesus.
A song by Colbert and Joyce Croft (1974) pretty much summed up where I was at this point. I have come to rely on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in all aspects of my life; and, No, I can’t even walk without Him holding my hand.
(1) I thought number one would surely be me; I thought I could be what I wanted to be. I thought I could build on life’s sinking sand; but now I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand.
(2) I thought I could do, a lot on my own. I thought I could make it, all day long. I thought of myself as a mighty big man; but Lord; I can’t even walk without you holding my hand.
(chorus) Oh Lord, I can’t even walk without you holding my hand. The mountains too high, and the valleys too wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I learned to stand. Oh Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.
(3) I think I’ll make Jesus, my all and all. And if I’m in trouble, on His name I’ll call. If I didn’t trust Him, I’d be less of a man; cause Lord, I can’t even walk without you holding my hand.
If you have reached a point where you realize you can’t “Walk on your “own…two, two feet”; remember this, All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)
Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). All have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23) and can be forgiven by asking (1 John 1:9). Jesus died for all of us (John 10:16) and will turn no one away who asks for this gift. He asks that we turn away from our habitual sin-filled life, and follow Him. He will personally prepare a home for all who will accept Him (John 14:1-3).
The worst thing anyone can do is take their last breath, expected or unexpected, here without having accepted Jesus. The outcome is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15), and it’s forever.
It’s your choice; please make it now while you may still have the time. We’re not promised tomorrow.
Shalom!