Independence

At the beginning of every July, Americans turn their thoughts to freedom and independence.  The “American Dream” is to succeed on your own, without help, strong and independent.  Children dream of the day that they can be independent of their parents and free to make their own rules.  Many employees long for a job where they can be their own boss, increasing the number of direct sales and freelance/contract jobs.  Everyone wants to do it themself, be free to be their own person, and succeed on their own.  However, Christans are not called to independence, but to a dependence on Christ and to live in a supporting community with fellow Christians.  We must be ready always to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as their need arises.  We must also be willing to depend on others, accepting their help in our times of need.

The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament as letters to various churches.  He often admonishes these churches to live in unity and to help one another with spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.  Galatians 6:1-5 tells us that we should help support fellow Christians who are facing temptations and struggles, to help them bear those burdens and avoid temptation.  We are told in Acts 2:42-47 that the early church was not only praying and studying the Scriptures, but they were also supporting one another with their finances and possessions.  Paul thanks the Philippians specifically for their financial support of his ministry in Philippians 4:10-20.  

Christians are given examples of the churches in Acts and Philippians that were ready to give help when others in the Body of Christ are in need.  While this may be financial needs, it could also be the need for help in other areas as well.  Everyone has times of plenty and times of struggle.  You never know when a car will go out or a roof will be damaged.  The church can help provide the funds, materials, and/or skills to help people with the repairs.  If someone in our church is moving, we can be there to help them pack, load and unload a truck, and/or prepare food for their family and others helping.  While I don’t agree with the Amish on all of their theology, I love the beautiful way they live in community.  If someone’s barn burns down, their church comes to help them rebuild.  If someone dies, the church is there to support the family, and provide for their needs.  Having everything in common, as mentioned in Acts 2, is hard to do.  It means holding very loosely to “your possessions,” and being ready to give up luxuries so you can provide for the necessities of others.

Not only should we give and share what we have, but we must also humbly accept help when we are in need.  We like to think that we can do everything ourselves, but there are times in our lives when it is just not possible.  When I was a stay-at-home mom whose husband just left her, I needed help!  I had a baby, bills to pay, and no source of income!  Thankfully, I had the help and support of my church, family, and friends that made it possible for us to survive that hard and hurtful experience and come out stronger on the other side.  It is a humbling experience to admit that you are in debt, that you don’t know what to do, that you don’t know how to handle a situation, that you feel defeated or overwhelmed.  However, we must reach out and let the church know that we need help.  The church is called to help one another, and the church cannot serve you as you need if they don’t know you have a need!

Life is full of ups and downs.  Thank God for the times of blessing and seek to bless others also.  Thank God for the times of need, and allow that time of humility to be an opportunity for others to serve you.  As we are exhorted in Galatians 6:10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”