DIY

My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

In the last few years there has been a DIY craze. There is even a popular DIY Channel dedicated to doing it yourself around the house. Who needs a mechanic, I can change my own oil, stock brokers what a waste of money, I have e-trade, and electrical work, come on how hard could it be? We reward and encourage those who do it themselves.

Faith has been causality to the DIY attitude for thousands of years. This verse from the prophet Jeremiah is spoken to the nation of Israel during a time of turmoil. God is calling his people out for 2 major sins. First, that they have turned away from God, the only source of life. Secondly, they have tried to replace God, DIY style. They have relied on their own strength, might, and resources to try and replace God. And as Jeremiah says, they have come up empty, wondering why they can’t replace God with their own hands.

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But God 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.”

When it comes to our relationship with God it is not meant to be “do it yourself.” In fact throughout scripture we are reminded that we can’t do it ourselves, because we continually sin and make mistakes. Instead we are called to dependence on God, to lean into and rely on Him, not ourselves. God reminds us in 2 Corinthians, that his power is not based on our strength or might, but our obedience and dependence on him; which is good; I am not very good at the DIY work I have tried…

Pastor Bill

Discussion Questions

How have you tried to do it yourself in faith and life?
What has happened when you have tried to DIY faith and life?