Recently, I broke my toe due to an unfortunate mishap at my home. I simply was not looking where I was going and hit my foot against a wall, breaking my pinky toe in the process. When I looked at my little toe, it was hanging nefariously away from the rest of the "gang". I couldn't even move it at first. I went to a podiatrist who proceeded to dutifully wrap together my pinky toe and its neighbor first. Then, he applied a second layer of wrapping, around the two toes and then the whole foot, presumably to hold the pinky toe in place.
I watched, fascinated, as the physician applied these wraps with such skill and precision. But, it was the first layer that seemed to be the most important - the "buddying" layer in which the weaker toe was attached to the stronger one. All other wrapping seemed to take place to support this effort. Indeed, when I had to re-wrap my own foot, it was to this detail that I paid the most attention.
This got me to thinking: God, in His infinite love and mercy, knew that we could not survive in this life alone. He sent the Savior to die on the cross for our sins and rise again so that those who believe on Him might have life. Now, Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Isn't this like being "buddy-taped" to Jesus? That is, if I am not attached, hook, line, and sinker, to the Savior, I am lost. I can do nothing, I am non-functional - just like that little toe that was hanging away from the rest of the crowd.
When I am buddy-taped to Jesus, I go where He goes. Where He walks, I walk. I have no choice - I am buddy taped. And my functionality depends upon His functionality. My success depends upon His alone. So, whenever I find myself feeling lost, or broken, or alone, I just need keep one thought in mind. I am "buddy-taped" to Jesus. Therefore, I belong, I am accepted, and I have life in and through Him.
