Leaning on Jesus

For those of you who work desk jobs, you can probably relate to the struggle of trying to maintain good posture and being attentive for hours on end.  It is easy to become restless and to lose motivation.  What helps me to sit up straight and stay focused is my desk chair with a solid back to lean on.  There are a lot of things we probably lean on and depend on to get us through the day.  Whether it’s something like a chair, a favorite activity to give us a break, or other people, we all turn to different places for support.  But above it all, what, or who, are we leaning on the most?  Matt Maher, a contemporary Catholic artist, has a new song, “Leaning.”  These lyrics, “Let my restless soul be still and know, I am leaning on your everlasting arms” sum it up quite well.

In all that is happening in the world around us, we need to be still and be aware of the presence of God in our lives.  We need to let ourselves lean on the arms of Jesus.  This is the strong foundation we all need in our lives.  If we don’t lean on Jesus, we will lean on the things of this world.  These things cannot hold us up and we will fall into temptation, weakness, sin.  But to lean on the arms of Jesus is to know that we will never be dropped. 

Leaning on the arms of Jesus does not mean that we will never fall.  However, it does mean that we will be lifted up and embraced with an infinite and transformational love and mercy.  How do we lean on Jesus at all times?  We must fully put our trust in Him and surrender ourselves to Him.  We must deny ourselves, carry our crosses, and offer up sacrifices, asking Jesus to help us.  We are called to live every day with joy and use each moment as an opportunity to love.  It is only by leaning on Him that this can be possible.  

Think of people you know who have a really deep and strong faith that is unwavering.  The people that come to mind for me are people who are humble, but confident in Christ’s real and personal love and they are aware of their deep need for Him.  I want to be like these people, always leaning on His everlasting arms.  
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Jesus, help us to be still and know that we can lean on You because You are the only one who will never let us down.