Responsibly Dependent

Responsibly Dependent

Even as a toddler, my daughter was fiercely independent. She always wanted to 'do this myself!' She was an interesting teenager, not a rebel, but always ready to push the limits of parental authority. It's different now. She is a strong woman. Part of her strength is knowing she does not have to 'do this myself!' She is not reluctant to ask for counsel.

Peter and Christine recently became the guardians of a 13 year old boy. They realize that instant parenthood is a path strewn with challenges, so they call from time to time to talk about their choices; and I'm happy they do. They can benefit from my experience. When I was walking through the emotionally taxing times of caring for my parents at the end of their lives, my children provided emotional support for me that was priceless. This is interdependence.

A person who desires the best life, the most productive life, learns to move beyond childish dependence, to grow through independence, and to live interdependently. He builds a strong network of people to whom he contributes and from whom he receives.

The Message (a modern language version of the Bible) paraphrases Galatians 6, a passage about our interdependent relationship within Christ's church. like this: "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed.

Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.

Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience." (Galatians 6:1-6, The Message)

No one else will anyone stand in my place before Christ when I am called to give an account of how I used His gifts. I am responsible. But, I will not stand alone. Then, I will understand how much so many others have given to me and what I have contributed to them. Together, we will offer our crowns to the One who saved us and gave us the Spirit's life. At the Throne of God, I will be surrounded by 'the great multitude in Heaven,' those whom God has called out from the earth to walk in holiness, to be His very own people. I will sing with the saints of all the ages, "with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God." (Rev. 5:9)

Are you a whining victim, refusing to leave the dependence of childhood behind? Are you making others carry your burden?

Are you striding ahead of the pack, accepting no help, seeking no counsel, protecting your independence? Are you robbing yourself of the rich resources of a network?

OR,

Are you praying to develop your gifts and callings, responsibly being the person desires, in the place to which God has called you; fitting into the Body of Christ in humility?

This is interdependence!

Meditate on this familiar word from the Word. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ... The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ...now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-22, 25, 27, NIV)

Lord, call us together, into your service. Make us strong, together. Amen.