The saying, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” is nothing new. As children, we often made pacts with our siblings saying, “If you take my chores, I’ll do your homework.” Sometimes the pact took a more sinister turn into blackmail. I remember when I broke a thermometer when I was about eight years old. It was an accident, pure and simple. But my sister took advantage of my fear and held me hostage to the broken thermometer. I did her chores and promised to fill her every whim if she would just keep the broken thermometer a secret.
*In the interest of context, there were times I, too, took advantage of my sister’s misdemeanors. We were an interesting pair when we were young. 😂
Time went on and I began to resent the threat to tell about the broken thermometer. Eventually the truth came out and I confessed my secret to Mom. She said, “Oh, I knew about that, it’s no big deal.” My mouth dropped in disbelief and my sister smiled widely. Well played sister! 😂 I couldn’t fault her for long because I knew I would’ve done the same. I did learn to be more careful in blurting out promises.
We don’t have to scratch God’s back
There are times that we approach our relationship with God in the same way. We think if we do what is “good,” if we “scratch His back,” He will be obliged to be on our side. The trouble with this is that God doesn’t work that way. He doesn’t need His back scratched to be on our side. He’s already on our side.
Romans 8:31,32 NKJV “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
God is always for us
God is always for us (see Galatians 4:5-7). When I figured out that God was, and is, “Team Lea” and not a part of the opposition, my life changed. And God, as my Heavenly Father, didn’t hold back when He sent Jesus for me. How, then, could I think that I could do anything to make Him love me more?
Maybe you’ve broken a thermometer or two and feel in someone’s debt. You feel you’re not good enough and have succumbed to the “scratch my back” trap. You now find yourself trapped. Understand that God accepts you and gives those He loves (you and me) whatever is needed to escape life’s many moments of blackmail.
Keep on going, even in the darkest moments. God is on your side, you got this!
