I need help

By Ps Dev Menon

How would you respond if you saw those words in a text? I must admit – I rarely see them so plainly put. Strange, right? That we so rarely ask in such a direct manner.

And yet, each time I handle a serious ‘pastoral issue’, I wonder to myself – why did this person not say something sooner? How did it get to this state? More so if the person is already plugged into an active church group or community. Maybe we could have intervened, or done something, or at least prayed more – if it had come up just a bit earlier.

After years of attempting to cultivate a #getreal Gospel Culture, I still think there is so much more progress to make…

Could it be because I, as a pastor and leader, am not modelling this to the congregation? When was the last time I asked explicitly for help? Have I given the illusion that I have got everything under control? What kind of image am I portraying?

Or is it that when we do ask, the response has been inadequate? I’m not saying our brothers and sisters don’t care (though often, yes, more could be done). But maybe we have unrealistic – or simply wrong – expectations of what help is. How does Jesus help us? Is that our model and expectation? Do we even know what His help looks like?

I have shared many times that my every-morning (and often every-night) prayer is “Help me Jesus, help me Jesus, help me Jesus!” But maybe I don’t say it out loud enough. Or at least, not out loud to other people enough.

So let me say it now: I need help. I really do need help. With what? With everything!

With my family, my ministry, my relationships – really everything! Do ask me in person and challenge me to share more.

Because friends, in this year of #getrest – what is rest really? Doing less? Pacing oneself? Having time for contemplative practices? Sure. But could rest be more about asking God and others for help? The one who cannot ask for can never really rest… because he is the one holding the world on his shoulders, and it is crushing.

Think Matthew 11:28. What is Jesus saying? Could we have a more relational view of rest?

I need help. Help me Jesus.