This phrase is famously associated with the 1984 film “Ghostbusters” (and the theme song which became iconic for its catchy chorus – when you encounter a ghost or strange phenomenon, it asks: “ Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!….”)
Well, Henry Blackaby gave me a whole new way to consider this “catchy” phrasing and perhaps embed it into my memory and habitual pathways so that it is God I glorify in doing so.
His focus was on this scripture – “Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me.” Psalms 50:15
It harkened me back to a training my mentor in Peacemaker Ministries was doing at a local seminary. She brought me along as part of her mentor work – and it was very impressive. The group of about 15 included the seminary president, his secretary, staff and professors.
In advance, my mentor had called 5 or 6 of the group to interview them – she asked them who they would go to when they faced a difficult issue or problem. The answers were along the lines of a lawyer, a staff person, a family member and various others – but no one mentioned God or Scripture. Pretty amazing, huh?
Believe me. She camped on that info heavily as she worked them through the principles and scriptures focused on handling conflict and issues in a Godly way.
So Blackaby’s message was right in line with her training but added a piece I had not connected with it before. I did not know, or think about, the fact that you bring glory to God by calling upon Him when you are in distress! Where has this scripture been hiding? It was new to me!
A friend of mine was known for saying something was “too trivial” to bother God with – she just didn’t want to trouble Him about such a small thing. I may occasionally fall into that camp, but more often I have fallen into another camp (and I am not proud of this).
What is the issue here? Pride. Right. It raises its ugly head in this way – pride will tempt me to think that I do not need to seek God’s assistance. Ouch! How many times have I subconsciously and also deliberately thought “I can handle this” through my own wisdom, resources and hard work? Oh yeah – just like those seminary personnel. I skipped right over the Lord as I plotted my own path to solution and rescue.
But I never thought about it in the way Blackaby pulled it out of this verse. He said “did you know that you bring glory to God by calling upon Him when you are in distress? God promised He would deliver you if you turned to Him. You deny the Lord honor that is rightfully His every time you find yourself in difficulty and you fail to call upon Him for help!” Wow – and just think about it. His “help” is perfect – the perfect answer and solution.
Why would I do that – just skip going to Him? Self-sufficiency. Yep – I think I can do it myself. And if it is a stressful situation, I can spend hours of time stewing and thinking and figuring – all aimed at getting a solution “my way” and fitting my limited mind and resources. I think there is an element of “control” in there as well. I know how I want it all to come out.
But now Blackaby has “shocked” me (remember the Ghostbuster guns?) into realizing how my self-sufficiency can greatly hinder my ability to experience God and bring Him honor. And that requires turning control over to Him – that thing called ‘trust’.
Blackaby points out there may be times when God allows you to reach a point of need so that you can call upon Him and let Him demonstrate to a watching world the difference He makes in the lives of His children. I also had never thought about the ‘witness’ aspect – who is watching? Who knows my struggle? Who might be amazed and drawn to the Lord by watching how He provides for me in my distress?
When the verse says God’s faithfulness and ability to rescue us is an invitation – that means I need to recognize it as such and accept that invitation. He has the most amazing ability to rescue and deliver me as I have learned so many times in my past. Why then do I keep going back to dithering around trying to solve my predicaments myself?
The promise of deliverance is not just about being rescued from my circumstances; it is about experiencing God’s presence and peace amid the storms of life. It is His power and grace which transform my distress and trials into testimonies of His goodness.
OK – thanks Henry Blackaby – the next time I am in distress, I will turn to Him as my first and only path. (yep, and lean not unto my own understanding) How about you?
