7/27/2011

Declaration of Dependence


One of my major goals as a parent has been to raise children who at some point become independent of me. Not just financially, but in every other respect as well. We expect this of them as they mature. God, on the other hand, doesn’t raise His children to become independent in any way, shape or form—not even those He considers most spiritually “grown up.”

I remember hearing this truth in a Bible study (Maybe a Beth Moore study?) years ago and it shook me to the core. You see, I’d always prized my independence, worn it like a badge of honor. I was always the child who could “do it myself.” I didn’t want help. I didn’t need help. Or so I thought. But that day I suddenly realized that independence was the last thing God desired of me. Instead, He wanted me to live in total dependence on Him. Forever.

Dependence. Not as a weakness, but as the ultimate strength. Dependence. Not by remaining a babe still feeding on the milk of the Word but through continued growth feasting on the meat found in Scripture. A deeper relationship to foster a greater dependence, not a lesser one. As an immature believer that truth sometimes chafed. Now dependence resonates as the sweetest freedom of all. 






9 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

See, another reason why I like you. I'm a huge fan in granting others freedom. God does this for us.

Beautiful post!
~ Wendy

Anne Mateer said...

Oh Wendy! I can't wait to hug your neck! Thanks for your encouraging words.

Anonymous said...

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Anne Mateer said...

Nice blog, Patrick. Hope you'll stop by here often, too!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Anne -

Excellent post!

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I'll be stopping here as often as I can. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Anne Mateer said...

Thanks, Susan!

Anonymous said...

You have such a gentle way of writing. So nice.

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Great thoughts. Once again, God's ways are so opposed to the worlds ways. The world says, "be independent" God says, "be completely dependent on me." I will be pondering this...

Anne Mateer said...

Thank you, VV. I haven't always been "gentle" so that means God has done a lot of work. (With more to go!)

Glad you stopped by, Sonya. Yes, God's way are quite the opposite from what the world tells us!