Senior Living

Independence Day is when we as Americans celebrate becoming our own nation, separate and independent from British rule.

We owe our independence to those who fought and died for our right to govern ourselves independently from foreign governance.

Today we can celebrate that we are more energy independent than we have been in 40 years!

We love our independence as a nation, and we love being independent as individuals.

We want our children to grow up and become financially and socially independent.

But what about our need for dependence?

Did you know that real independence comes as a gift to the person or nation who is dependent upon the One who is in authority over this world?

This is like the great paradox of the Bible that says, “He who loses his life shall find it, and he who keeps his life shall lose it.”

If I will not always be “pulling myself up by my own bootstraps,” and instead see how utterly dependent I am upon God to truly accomplish in me that which will have eternal value, I will find true independence to be able to stand alone against anything that could harm me in this world.

This is what is meant by 2 Chronicles 7:14 that says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

These words were written to God’s people as a nation called Israel. But His promise will also apply to any person who will humbly confess their total dependence on the mercies of God to live in this fallen world. Only then will He grant the blessings of His independence which means freedom from slavery to sin and self.

He who declares His dependence upon God will find a real freedom worth celebrating all year long.

Next Week: I recognize that smell