Leaning In vs. Relying On

Leaning In vs. Relying On: A Biblical Perspective on Faith and Action

In the grand tapestry of faith, two concepts — leaning in and relying on — can seem similar, yet they represent profoundly different postures of the heart and soul. While one is an active, courageous engagement with life’s challenges, the other is a state of peaceful dependence on a divine source. The Scriptures are rich in examples that illuminate this critical distinction, guiding us in understanding when to stand firm and when to rest. Here is a reminder of who you are to God. UR God’s Love Story

The Biblical Meaning of Leaning In

Leaning in is an act of proactive, courageous engagement. It’s the posture of a warrior, not of a person waiting passively for something to happen. It is a bold, intentional move toward a difficult, uncomfortable, or challenging situation. The Bible calls us to “lean in” with our strength, our will, and our very being.

Consider the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. For twelve years, she had relied on doctors and conventional wisdom, but her condition only worsened. She had tried everything, and her resources were depleted. But a different kind of action was needed. When she heard about Jesus, she didn’t just passively rely on a miracle; she “leaned in” to the crowd, pushing through the chaos and fear. She had to brave the pressing throng and her physical weakness. Her act of reaching out and touching the hem of his garment was a powerful, proactive statement of faith. It was a courageous act of “leaning in” to her belief that He had the power to heal her. Jesus recognized this, saying, “Daughter, your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34). Her action was the physical expression of her internal conviction. Here’s what she understood: UR God’s Love Story.

Another powerful example is found in the life of Nehemiah. When faced with the overwhelming task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he didn’t just rely on God to magically do the work. He leaned in to the challenge. He prayed for wisdom and favor, but he also acted. He secured permission from the king, organized the people, and set guards to protect against enemies. He told his workers, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and impressive, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14). Nehemiah’s faith did not make him passive; it propelled him into courageous, disciplined action. He leaned into the difficult work, logistical challenges, and spiritual warfare.

The Biblical Meaning of Relying On

In contrast to leaning in, relying on is a posture of restful dependence. It is a deep-seated trust in a higher power to provide support, guidance, and ultimately, the best outcomes. It’s the conviction that you are not in this alone, and that your trust is placed in a God who is both capable and faithful.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is perhaps the most famous articulation of this principle: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This passage distinguishes between two kinds of “leaning.” One is on your limited human understanding, which is to be avoided. The other is a reliance on God’s omnipotent wisdom. To “rely on” God means to step back from the need to control every outcome and to place our ultimate hope in His sovereignty.

David, in Psalm 23, exemplifies this reliance. He describes the Lord as his shepherd, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” He doesn’t say, “I will work tirelessly to get what I want,” but rather, “I shall not want,” because he trusts in the provision of his Shepherd. This is a powerful demonstration of reliance. He rests in the assurance that God will lead him beside still waters and restore his soul. His strength is not in his ability to fight, but in his Shepherd’s presence and protection.

Jesus himself modeled perfect reliance on the Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane, faced with the unimaginable suffering of the cross, he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus “leaned in” to His Father in prayer, pouring out His heart, but He relied completely on the Father’s will and plan. He placed His trust not in His strength to endure, but in the divine that will accomplish salvation for all humanity.

The Critical Difference: A Divine Partnership

The key to a thriving life of faith is understanding when to lean in and when to rely on. The two are not mutually exclusive; they work in tandem as a divine partnership. So too is realizing this UR God’s Love Story.

• You lean into the effort, but you rely on God for the outcome. You put in the work, you have difficult conversations, you start the business, you engage with the challenge — that is your act of leaning in. But you rely on God to provide the wisdom, the resources, and the final result.

• You lean in to the process, but you rely on God for the provision. You work diligently, you seek to grow, and you serve with all your heart. This active effort is an act of leaning in. But you rely on God for the provision of your needs and the fulfillment of your purpose.

• You lean in to your responsibility, but you rely on God for your rescue. When you are in a crisis, you “lean in” to the situation by doing everything within your power to be wise, safe, and proactive. But in a moment of true helplessness, you rely on God as your ultimate rescuer and refuge.

In short, you lean in to the call, but you rely on the one who is calling you. You lean in to the command, but you rely on the one who empowers you to obey. You lean in to uncomfortable conversations with a friend, but you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the right words.

The synergy of leaning in and relying on is what transforms our faith from a passive belief into a living, active relationship with God. We are not called to be lazy or to stand idly by, waiting for God to do all the work. We are called to be His hands and feet, to be courageous, and to face the challenges of this world head-on. But in all our learning, we must never forget that our strength, our peace, and our ultimate victory come not from our effort, but from our deep and unwavering reliance on our faithful Shepherd.

In faith, we learn the difference between leaning and relying. To lean in is a courageous act of obedience, like Peter stepping out onto the water (Matthew 14:29). He actively engaged with the storm, his faith in a forward motion. This is our part — to lean into the storm of life, embracing the challenge with courage. To rely on God is our foundation (Proverbs 3:5-6). It’s passive, complete trust that the water will hold us up. We don’t rely on our strength to save us from the storm, but we lean into the moment with the active faith that God is the reliable resource beneath our feet.

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