9 - 1 - 1

Whether it is real life or a scene from a TV show or movie, we have all seen and heard the depiction of an emergency communication center, a 9-1-1 center. The phrase, “9-1-1, what is your emergency?”, signals either a pending tense moment in an entertainment production or the beginning of a professional response in real life. These highly trained operators are experts at listening and acting to determine the nature of the emergency and send the correct emergency responders. There have been countless lives saved, injuries treated, crimes stopped or prevented, and little kids rescued from trees.

As Christians, we have our own emergency responder. For us, we don’t pick up a phone to call in a problem; we just open our hearts, minds and voices to call upon God in our time of emergency. We may need help for ourselves for a medical issue, or in financial need, a spiritual dilemma, or some other life happening. We know that God hears every word, every thought. The toughest thing is first to ask for help, and then to receive an answer which is not one of those we thought we wanted. There was a TV series back in the 1950’s called, “Father Knows Best”. We still have that title as the truth of what God does. Too often, we don’t understand or even appreciate the answer He gives us. Sometimes we don’t even want it. Saying that God knows what is best and believing it may be two different things. Our emergency may be real enough, but God answers when He wants to do so and in the manner that is best for us. That may be immediately. It may be months or years coming to pass.

I am not saying to ignore God when there is a problem. Too many people have the attitude they would rather take care of the problems themselves rather than ask God for His help. An attitude of independence is a good thing in our human world, but not when it means ignoring God’s help with your crisis. He wants us to do what we can to take care of our worries and cares, but He is also there to help us when we need it.

Perhaps you are one of those people who believe in God’s goodness, but not in your own. You may think that God is ignoring you or is mad at you for some reason or you are not worthy of His help. Maybe you don’t go to church every Sunday or the words that come out of your mouth are unfit for polite company. Whatever the scenario, you are down on yourself so you figure God is down on you as well and is not willing to take care of your emergency. Nothing is further from the truth. God is there for all of us and His help is ours for the asking. If you do not feel worthy of His help, then you need to have an instant change of mind because that is not how God looks at you. You are, after all, His greatest creation.

What is your emergency? Tell God the problem and stand by for further information. Maybe He will direct you to take some particular action as part of His assistance. He may, on the other hand, just solve the problem that caused the emergency.

It is your emergency. You own it and you can do with it as you wish. You can try to go solo on this trip.  Or, you can spend some time on your knees lifting your spiritual 9-1-1 call up to Him. What are you waiting for? He is ready to roll!