Totally Dependent: A Tribute

Bob, my husband, and me in Saint-Émilion, France

One of the godliest men we have ever known passed away suddenly, after preaching a Sunday morning message and insisting on carrying something downstairs for his wife.

One of his sons gave the eulogy, sharing how his father often thought nothing of himself. He was nothing special, had no outstanding gifts, and was just a simple person. Yet, anyone who knew Bob knew that he was indeed gifted because he knew God in a way few people ever do.

Bob depended on God. He prayed about everything. He was close to the Lord, walking with Him. He put everyone else before himself, and he loved them. His son said, “Dad made everyone feel that they were the most important person in the world to him.” It’s true! Bob was also a servant and a true friend.

Why do we regard him so highly? Why was it such a huge loss when Bob passed on to heaven? It’s because he had a correct view of who he was—a needy man. Because of that, he grew closer and closer to God. He was dependent on the Lord.

Bob’s life testimony has been a challenge to us over the years, but I’ve given it much more thought over the last few weeks since he went Home to be with his Savior. What’s most important in life? What made Bob an example and mentor to so many of us? Why do our kids regard him as a second father? It’s because he was close to God and serving Him and people. It’s because Bob saw himself as 

. . . totally dependent.

Let me share a few Bible verses with you about what God expects of any Christian. Of course, this post is about people who actually know Jesus Christ as Savior, those who have been born-again by putting their personal faith in Jesus’ payment for their sins. *

A correct view of self is that we are nothing.

• What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm 8:4)
• Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts (Isaiah 6:5).
• For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

God wants to be the One that meets all of our needs.

• The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him (Exodus 15:2).
• For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9).
• The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence (2 Samuel 22:3).
• Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

God wants us to ask Him to do great things.

• Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).
• And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Luke 11:9).
• Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).

In God’s eyes, it’s great to be a servant.

• And he (Jesus) sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:35).
• Jesus said, And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all (Mark 10:44).
• If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour (John 12:26).
• Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5-7).

The teachings of Jesus Christ can be boiled down into two basic phrases: love God, and love others.

• Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:36-40).

Our friend Bob Bixby was an example for any believer, yet I’m sure he didn’t even realize it. He simply relied on Christ.

What a legacy he left! I want to be like Bob—as he was like Christ.

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* You can read what Jesus Himself said about being born again in John 3:1-21.