Listening to the Holy Spirit:
Great deception is in the limitless. He that dreams to be free in all things is not he who will ever be free. For freedom in all things leads to death. The independent soul, without boundary, without redemption, moves toward destruction. For if he receives power without limit, he shall corrupt what is received. I am Lord, that I might save and guide, for without My bounds the fall of man continues, without dependence on Me, he cannot be saved. Men seek freedom, but instead find darkness; those that seek Me find light, for My life is light to men. Independence from evil, is dependence on He that bore its weight, and he only that depends, is he that lives and finds better the bounds of love, than the boundless desires of men. Seek not for independence, but for greater dependence, in He who calls you to abide.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
John 1:4 (ESV) – In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Jer 29:11 (ESV) – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
1Pet 5:6-7 (ESV) – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Taking It to Work:
I often think we must look like perpetual teenagers to God. I’ve raised a few of them now, and there is a common desire in each of them for independence from their parents. Some personalities show it a bit stronger than others, but especially in my boys, the late teen years are when the desire for independence really seems to grow. Now, I think that is a natural thing, and overall, a good thing, but it does come with some real drawbacks, mostly revolving around the fact the very freedom they desire opens them up for getting into things that will not only harm them, but in the end make them dependent instead of independent. Rarely do teenagers realize how good they have it when so much is taken care of by their parents.
Were the same if we don’t watch out. We have a faithful God that promises to be our provider, but yet there is something in our fallen nature that wants to be independent of that. We would rather have our own financial independence, and not need to be dependent on Him, and to that end, many miss life trying to get there.
How? Some give up rest, exercise and eventually their health to be at the office. Others work habitually through weekends and holidays, and miss irreplaceable time with family and friends. Some even forgo family and friends all together, for the chasing of a career that somehow promises more.
The truth is, contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be financially independent to enjoy life, yet many of us our overworking ourselves right now toward that end, and are likely missing out on the real blessings in life that money can’t buy.
Don’t make the teenage mistake of thinking independence from Dad is the ultimate life. Our Father in heaven has some pretty great holiday plans for children that keep Him as their provider. Dependence can be a good thing, as His Word works in your life, today.
