Forever Dependent
There is perhaps no greater picture of total dependence than that of an infant rooting for its mother’s milk. The toddler may insist on holding a cup of milk by himself, but he is just as dependent on his parents to provide it. And the dairy farmer, who owns the cows that produce the milk, is just as dependent on his Creator to provide the straw needed to feed his cows.
At some point in our growth and development, most of us begin to think that we have arrived at a point of independence. We make the mistake of thinking that by taking on more responsibility, we have become independent.
But we never have, nor will we ever, create our own necessary food, or the universe in which it is cultivated, or the people who grow it, or the teeth that crush it, or the saliva the begins to break it down, or the stomach that digests it, or the biological system that delivers it to the individual cells of the body.
At the height of our abilities, we only ever play a minuscule role in providing for ourselves. But that doesn't stop us from looking at our successes and thinking, "I've got this."
The truth of the matter is that we don't have this, but God does have us. Let a stroke take that tiny part of our independence away and we very quickly come to the realization of just how totally dependent on God we really are.
The point is God has a purpose not just for the provisions He provides but even for the trials that seem to set us back. Blind and arrogant as we are to our total dependence on God, we often need His help to see the truth. Sometimes that help comes in the form of helplessness.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Call Me Daddy
At some point during childhood, most of us transition away from referring to our father as “Daddy,” opting instead for a more mature moniker, something like “Dad.” This change comes as a natural part of our transition from the dependence of childhood to the growing independence of adolescents.
But while we grow up to become more independent and leave home, spiritual maturity happens in exactly that opposite way. Rather than become more independent, the Spirit of God prompts us toward a greater state of dependence.
This was the Apostle Paul’s point when he wrote, “because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6, NLT). "Abba" is a term of intimacy and dependence. It is equivalent in meaning to our English title "Daddy."
God wants us to call Him "Daddy.” That means rather than saying, “It’s ok, Dad, I’ve got this,” the Spirit prompts us to cry out, “I need You, Daddy! He prompts us to say, “I need You in every moment.” He prompts us to say, “I need Your thoughts and Your wisdom to illumine my own.” He prompts us to say, “I need Your love, or else I am nothing.” He prompts us to say, “I need You to always be with me.”
Growing in grace means growing more dependent.
From "Daddy" to "Dad"
Do you remember when you stopped calling your dad, "Daddy"? I do.
I was about 6 or 7 years old and I remember being outside with my dad. He began a conversation with our next door neighbor, which I interrupted by calling out "Daddy!" Up until then, I had always called my dad, "Daddy."
But when I called out, "Daddy!" he gave me a funny look and he and the neighbor just chuckled, like that was baby talk. I never called him "Daddy" again.
The Aramaic/Hebrew word "Abba" is the equivalent of our English "Daddy." But unlike our relationship with our earthly father, our heavenly Father will never chuckle at us for calling Him Daddy. That's because we will never outgrow our child-like dependence on Him.
Quite the opposite. The more we grow in our faith the more we will realize our total dependence on our heavenly Father. That's why God loves it when we call Him "Abba." That's who He is and who He will always be to us.
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:6).