{"id":6902,"date":"2025-04-24T23:55:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T03:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6902"},"modified":"2025-06-02T13:25:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T17:25:53","slug":"lord-youre-going-to-have-to-do-this-i-cant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6902","title":{"rendered":"(In the Moments) Lord, You’ve Got To Do This. I Can’t."},"content":{"rendered":"

My father was at a low point in his life. He\u2019d lost his marriage, his home, and his ability to live a normal life. Alcoholism imprisoned him. I tried to comfort him, but my words didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

One day, I read Jesus\u2019 words to him, \u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.\u00a029\u00a0Take My yoke upon you and\u00a0learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and\u00a0you will find rest for your souls.\u00a030\u00a0For My yoke is\u00a0easy and My burden is light\u201d (Matthew 11:28-30<\/strong> NASB).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I explained to Dad that Jesus wanted to give him rest from his life shattering burden and to shoulder what he\u2019d been carrying for so long. He wept.<\/p>\n

As a child, my grandparents had taken my dad to church, but the philosophies of the military college he attended led him to doubt God\u2019s existence. When I was growing up, my mom was the one who took us to church. Dad rarely joined us.<\/p>\n

But Jesus\u2019 words that day opened up the eyes of his heart.<\/p>\n

Come to Me<\/span><\/h3>\n

I love these verses as well. They speak deeply to my often-burdened heart. Sometimes, because I\u2019ve moved ahead of God to do my own things, or, because of the ferociousness of life, I feel weary and heavy-ladened, just like Dad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeary and heavy-laden\u201d – fatigued and over-burdened.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCome\u201d – \u201ccome hither\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or \u201ccome this way\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Jesus invites us to come to Him and remain with Him, to journey with Him. He promises to give us true rest, to take our burdens upon Himself, to teach us His gentle, humble heart as we travel together.<\/p>\n

Dad\u2019s Conversion and Continued Struggles<\/span><\/h3>\n

Eventually, Dad entrusted his life to Christ. We went to Bible studies together, and he was a part of our small group. He\u2019d have seasons of sobriety, but he still struggled.<\/p>\n

There was a gap between his reality and the deliverance he longed for. He went to alcoholics anonymous meetings and was in and out of rehab centers.<\/p>\n

All along, he\u2019d been asking God to help him quit, but it wasn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n

Lord, You do it, I Can\u2019t<\/span><\/h3>\n

One day he came to the end of himself and cried, \u201cGod. I\u2019ve tried everything I know. This isn\u2019t working. I can\u2019t do this. You\u2019re going to have to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that moment, Dad stopped asking God to help him<\/em>. He started asking God, who Indwelled Him, to be his self-control.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A bit later, after cutting the grass, he opened a beer and took a sip. It tasted horrible. He poured it out and never had another drop to drink the last fifteen years of his life.<\/p>\n

Our Union with Christ<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dad modeled for me a powerful truth. Christ Himself is our life.<\/p>\n

Jesus said. \u201cI am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing\u201d (John 15:5<\/strong> NASB).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Paul said it this way, \u201cfor it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13<\/strong> NASB)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0I have been\u00a0crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but\u00a0Christ lives in me; and the\u00a0life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20<\/strong> NASB).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

God never designed us to live life apart from Him. God pierced Christ for our transgressions [1] so that He might share His life with us. By God\u2019s doing, we\u2019ve been placed in Christ [2] and seated with Him in heavenly places. [3] We\u2019re indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. [4]<\/p>\n

As children of God, we\u2019re new creations. [5] We\u2019re united with Christ. God\u2019s purpose is to transform us into the image of His Son. [6] But His way is not for us to try harder to improve ourselves. We died and our lives are now hidden in Christ. Christ now is our life. [7] We’re to yield to Him.<\/p>\n

Challenge<\/span><\/h3>\n

What are you currently struggling with in your walk with Christ? Like my dad, it could be an addiction. It might have to do with a relationship, finances, a job, your health.<\/p>\n

Like in my dad\u2019s case, anything which causes us to realize we can\u2019t, and God can, has the possibility to draw us deeper into our true-Life Source, but it takes humility and utter dependence.<\/p>\n

We need to say, along with my dad, \u201cGod, I\u2019ve tried everything I know to escape this burden. I can\u2019t do it. Please work through me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dear Lord, as hard as it was to see my dad struggle with alcoholism, thank You that in his desperation, he cried out to You. Thank You that You opened the eyes of his heart to believe You exist and that You love him. Thank You that he surrendered his life to You and eventually trusted You for deliverance from his addiction.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank You for showing him that the Christian Life is not about trying harder but about trusting You in our weaknesses. And thank You for allowing dad to live in sobriety the remaining years of his life.<\/em><\/p>\n

Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

Robert Elroy Buck III, whom I am named after, went to be with Jesus on April 30th, 2011.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thanks Dad. I miss you.<\/p>\n

[1] Isaiah 53:5<\/span><\/p>\n

[2] I Corinthians 1:30<\/p>\n

[3] Ephesians 2:6<\/p>\n

[4] Ephesians 1:13<\/p>\n

[5] II Corinthians 5:17<\/p>\n

[6] Romans 8:29<\/p>\n

[7] Colossians 3:3-4<\/p>\n

Other posts in our series\u00a0In the Moments<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

As Sea Gulls Fly<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

It is Finished<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Behold the Moments<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Tranquility<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Stop Striving<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Simplicity In Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Good<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Yet Will I Rejoice<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Exploring Grace and Joy together<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay Present My Friends<\/a><\/p>\n

Quiddity. It Could Change Your Life<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cake Maker\u2019s Blunder<\/a><\/p>\n

God at Work (No Trespassing)<\/a><\/p>\n

Hidden with Christ in God<\/a><\/p>\n

Finding Joy in Love and Relationships<\/a><\/p>\n

Escaping the Rat Race<\/a><\/p>\n

When I don\u2019t Feel God\u2019s Loving Kindness<\/a><\/p>\n

Experiencing Completeness in Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

Overcoming Pain Through Faith<\/a><\/p>\n

Recalibrating Our Hearts<\/a><\/p>\n

The Joy of Waiting<\/a><\/p>\n

On the Fifth Day God Created Dog<\/a><\/p>\n

When Things get Really Hard<\/a><\/p>\n

A No Lose Situation, Even with Cancer<\/a><\/p>\n

Hey Pop<\/a><\/p>\n

Mustering Our Faith<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God\u2019s nearness in the midst of life\u2019s adventures.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Robby Buck<\/strong><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Nonfiction books by the Author:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn\u2019t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God\u2019s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It\u2019s not just a good idea, it\u2019s vital to our journey as human beings.\u00a0Rhythms of Joy<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Novels by the Author:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?\u00a0\u00a0Beyond Time<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family\u00a0Hope Remains<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Please Check out the\u00a0\u00a0Cola City Podcast<\/a>\u00a0. Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My father was at a low point in his life. He\u2019d lost his marriage, his home, and his ability to live a normal life. Alcoholism imprisoned him. I tried to comfort him, but my words didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

One day, I read Jesus\u2019 words to him, \u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.\u00a029\u00a0Take My yoke upon you and\u00a0learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and\u00a0you will find rest for your souls.\u00a030\u00a0For My yoke is\u00a0easy and My burden is light\u201d (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB).<\/p>\n

I explained to Dad that Jesus wanted to give him rest from his life shattering burden and to shoulder what he\u2019d been carrying for so long. He wept.<\/p>\n

As a child, my grandparents had taken my dad to church, but the philosophies of the military college he attended led him to doubt God\u2019s existence. When I was growing up, my mom was the one who took us to church. Dad rarely joined us.<\/p>\n

But Jesus\u2019 words that day opened up the eyes of his heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1778,1792],"tags":[1789,514,2773,1785,1732,78,2241,141,1262,668,696,447,1554,1783,218,1784,999,748,1377,127,67,1787,18,1779,1780,140,1582,20,134,1781,446,1790,398,1791,1182,1786,46,1557,1782,2774,1260,62],"class_list":["post-6902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-empowered-by-the-holy-spirit","category-our-union-with-christ","tag-abiding-in-the-vine","tag-addictions","tag-alcohol","tag-alcoholics-anonymous","tag-alcoholism","tag-christ","tag-christ-in-me","tag-christ-indwells-us","tag-christ-is-my-source","tag-christ-our-life","tag-colossians-31-4","tag-come-to-me","tag-communion-with-god","tag-dad","tag-depending-on-christ","tag-entrusted-life-to-christ","tag-ephesians-113-14","tag-ephesians-26","tag-father","tag-galatians-220","tag-heavy-laden","tag-help-him-quit","tag-holy-spirit","tag-i-corinthians-130","tag-ii-corinthians-517","tag-in-christ","tag-isaiah-535-6","tag-jesus","tag-john-155","tag-lost-his-marriage","tag-matthew-1128-30","tag-new-creations","tag-philippians-212-13","tag-pierced-for-our-transgressions","tag-raised-with-christ","tag-rehab","tag-rest","tag-romans-828-29","tag-struggled","tag-true-source-of-life","tag-union-with-christ","tag-weary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6902"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7036,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6902\/revisions\/7036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}