What’s Your Crutch?

While he was governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura made this statement; “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business.” In the New Oxford American Dictionary, one of the definitions of crutch is “a thing used for support or reassurance.” An example cited by the dictionary is “they use the Internet as a crutch for their loneliness.”

Everybody has a crutch. For some it is cigarettes. How many of you know people who cannot go a short period of time without smoking? During winter, I’ve seen workers willing to brave freezing temperatures outside just so they can smoke on their breaks.

For other people, their crutch is alcohol. Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx once told Hit Parader magazine, “The thing that inspires me the most is my bottle of Jack Daniels. It's my best friend in the world. Ol' Jack will never let you down. He's always there when you need him.”

Many individuals look to the government as a crutch. They think having a certain politician in office or a particular law passed will solve their problems.

What’s your crutch?

Non-believers may think believing in God is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. But the Lord doesn’t want His people to be weak-minded at all. Ephesians 6:10 commands us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

King David certainly wasn’t a coward. He was a mighty warrior who defeated the giant Goliath and later became king of Israel. But even with all his armies and weapons, David repeatedly humbled himself and sought the Lord for direction. The strongest person on earth is infinitely weaker than God.

The best crutch for people to lean on is not a church, denomination, or minister but in the person of Jesus Christ.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1