On Receiving

I hate feeling needy. 

Some of you may relate to this feeling. Others, not so much.

But having lived on my own for a couple decades, I’ve gotten used to having to do things on my own.  

• Does the car need to get dropped off at the shop? No one’s going to give me a ride home.  
• Am I sick on the couch? Yeah, I’ve got to figure out how to get my own chicken soup. 
• Is a huge multi-legged bug skittering across my floor? Tragically, no one’s coming to my rescue (and oh, do I have some stories on this one).  

I don’t say all this as a “woe is me” declaration, but rather as an observation. Unfortunately, for any of us, years and decades of this may lead to fierce (and even prideful) independence, but it’s not conducive to learning how to receive. And that can be problematic. 

Because all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is the story of God’s moving toward us, pursuing us, pouring out for us—and, yes, calling us to receive His great love, gift of salvation, and blessing. 

“For God so loved the world that He gave….” (John 3:16, emphasis mine) 

Unfortunately, for those of us who cling to our ‘go-it-alone’ lives, we may ultimately find it difficult to receive from God and to allow others whom God places in our lives to bless us. 

I’ve experienced this in a small way as I recently had surgery that relegated me to crutches and no driving for a couple weeks. 

The hardest part? Not the crutches, not the prospect of multi-month rehab, not getting holes bored into me (thank the Lord for spinal blocks), not even hospital bills. 

No, the hardest part has been asking for, and receiving, help. 

This difficulty wasn’t brought on by surgery, although it was definitely exposed by it. But even over the past several months, I knew God was wanting to teach me how to receive. 

Here’s what I’m learning: Receiving isn’t about us, and it isn’t even about allowing others to be blessed by helping us (although that certainly happens). Receiving is actually requisite to the intimate relationship our Heavenly Father longs to have with us. 

He wants for us to fully enjoy His love, His forgiveness, His presence, His healing, His provision, and His blessing, but we can’t do this if we refuse to receive. And I don’t mean receive with a little dose of “I have to earn this ”mixed in (been there). I mean simply receive. 

Maybe you’re thinking, “What about the Scripture that says it’s more blessed to give than to receive?” (Acts 20:35)

Believe me, I’m not negating or downplaying this Scripture. Of course, this verse is true. 

But what I’m saying is that our relationship with God is primarily one of receiving. (Indeed, the context of the above verse is about giving to others and, specifically, the weak.) 

When we, by choice or unwanted circumstances, become people who cling to independence and view receiving as a weakness, this keeps us from fully experiencing all Christ died to give us. 

Maybe you’re like me, and this really doesn’t sit well with you. Good thing Scripture isn’t meant to sit well with us but rather to change us. 🙂

I have a lot more to learn on this front, but I’m grateful for what God is teaching me. Receiving may not be easy, but we’ll never fully experience the depth of God’s love without learning how to receive.