Several years ago, a man I came to deeply admire introduced me to a song that has shaped my life ever since. I was at his house for a cookout, and he started telling me stories of what he called his “previous life” – a time during which he played the stand-up bass in bars and honky-tonks throughout the Southeast and Midwest. Some of the places were so rough they had chicken wire across the stage to protect the band from what might be thrown at them. He was well over six feet tall and weighed more than 300 lbs., but even he said it was a pretty rough life. I was intrigued.
What captivated me even more, though, was when he told me about what had become his favorite song to play. He and his band played them all – from country/western hits, to rock and roll, to classic tunes from the 1940s and 50s. His favorite, though, was a gospel song that was written by Colbert and Joyce Croft entitled, “I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand).” In a voice that had long lost the luster it once had, he sang it to me, right there in front of everyone at the cookout.
I thought that number one would surely be me
I thought I would be what I wanted to be
I thought I could build on life’s sinking sand
But I can’t even walk without You holding my hand
I thought that I could do a lot on my own
I thought I could make it all alone
I thought of myself as a mighty big man
But I can’t even walk without You holding my hand
I can’t even walk without You holding my hand
The mountain is too high; the valley is too wide
Down on my knees, I learned to stand
Because I can’t even walk without You holding my hand
I think I’ll make Jesus my all-in-all
From now on, when I’m in trouble, on Him I will call
And if I don’t trust in Him, I’ll be less than a man
Because I can’t even walk without you holding my hand
When he finished – his eyes now moistened with tears – he asked me, “Do you know why that’s my favorite song? Because that’s my story. After a whole lot of years trying to live my life on my own terms, and a whole lot of bad mistakes that have cost me more than I ever thought they would, I finally realized just how much I depend on the Lord. I always thought of myself as a mighty big man – and there’s not too many bigger than me – but I can’t even walk without Him holding my hand.”
His honesty hit me like a ton of bricks. This man had seen things in real life that I’ve only seen in movies. He was a big, tough man, but he had reached a place of humility in which he came to realize the reality of his weakness – and God’s strength. I’ve never forgotten that incredible lesson, and when the Lord called my friend Home several years ago, we played that song at his funeral. It was such a powerful testimony.
This year, as the holiday season approaches, I pray that we’d all recognize the reality of just how much we depend on God. The Bible teaches us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Elsewhere, God’s Word teaches us that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). God is our Creator, and He is our Sustainer. What does that mean?
It means that God is not only the One who made us, but He is the One who keeps us going. He causes our hearts to beat. He causes our lungs to fill with air. He gives us the ability to think and to speak. Quite literally, we can’t even walk without His divine intervention. Jesus tells us, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5c). We are far more dependent upon God than we often think.
Our God is pleased to bless us in these incredible ways, and all He asks is that we give thanks to Him for these great gifts He gives us. “…give thanks in all circumstances,” the Apostle Paul writes, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
As Thanksgiving approaches, will you join me in expressing your deep gratitude to God for all the great things He has done for you – and all the great things He is doing for you? Look around at your life, and even if you are in the most difficult of circumstances, take a moment to count the blessings you see. How is God showing you His goodness to you right now? Will you thank Him for those blessings? After all, we can’t even walk without Him holding our hands.
-by Dr. Jeff Reynolds, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Bowling Green
