It is American Independence Day, which always gets me to thinking. Many people think of Independence Day as marking the day we got out from under an oppressive heel. In the global playground, we were sick of being bullied. So we lifted some weights, practiced some snappy comebacks, and shook ourselves free of the bully. As an elementary teacher, I know something many people overlook: the victim of bullying often continues the cycle by becoming the next generation of bully.
A bully is often a lonely figure. He (or she) generally has few real friends. He believes in his own independence, that he doesn't need anyone; but he ends up lonely and broken without the experience of camaraderie. His independence may destroy him.
On the playground, I always had a couple of friends on whom I depended for companionship or a much-needed tongue lashing (rooted in love, of course!). When I became a Christian, I decided to depend upon Christ. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." In addition to illustrating the life-giving quality of the vine, Jesus uses the plural
branches. Hmmm... that sounds more like INTERdependence than INdependence.
July 5th is my grandparents' anniversary. Sixty-seven years ago, they decided to depend upon one another. I have decided that from this year forward, I am going to celebrate July 5th as Interdependence Day. I've always thought of it as more of a celebratory day, anyway, since I grew up doing fireworks on the fifth for Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary. And now that I'm older, I have found that interdependence is much more beautiful to me. So, today I will spend time with friends, but only as the precursor to a day where I recognize out loud that I can't do it alone. I need my friends. I need my husband. And I definitely need Jesus.
Comments (7)
hmmm - i shoulda thought of that title..
@pamilvr - you can still use it. I don't claim intellectual property on it!
Very insightful! It seems that some things never change.
When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world. Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. - John 6:14-15
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force. - Matthew 11:12
Conservatives and liberals alike want to claim Yahshua for their own, but they really are missing the bigger picture.
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. (Isaiah 40:15-17)
Thanks for the great entry!
I love that creative way of thinking--the kind the Holy Spirit produces in us. I just realized today that the type of government we have is the opposite of God's. Our leaders rule with the consent of the governed. God rules without the consent of the governed. lol Did I say that right? He is King. I am the subject. I did not elect Him. HE elected me. I do not approve laws. HE makes the laws. He cannot be voted out of office--His term is eternal.
lol I am just enjoying a new thought. I don't even know if it makes sense.
blessings
frank
@ANVRSADDAY - yay for Spirit-inspired new thoughts
If you're interested in a book on the topic, check out Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. It's a pretty good read.
@lifeofdory - Thanks for the suggestion on the book. I have two books to finish, then off to the Christian Book Store again.
blessings
frank
*applauds*