Independence

I started pulling out the paraphernalia for the 4^th of July last night. An odd assortment of flags and napkins, a few paper plates and some lovely placemats an uncle brought over a few years ago. Time for the annual BBQ – for that read ‘rainstorm is probable on Sunday’. 

It seems slightly awkward to be celebrating America’s Independence Day when there is so much being spoken of here re independence in one way and another. A hot topic full of political innuendos and assumptions.

Strikes me how interdependent we all are, whether in a formal or informal relationship. And how elusive and even deceptive independence can be in human terms. Teenagers long to express their individuality through their attire, but often present themselves as clones of one another. Independence to make decisions can seem so attractive but sometimes it’s not as great as it might appear. We need each other’s wisdom and perspective. We need each other’s love and advice. We need the safety net of family and friends. 

Jesus knew that as human beings we are better when we support one another. That is what church is all about, supporting each other while led by the Head.

Jesus is the only one in whom we can find true freedom. In him there is no pretence, no deception, no pride and jockeying for place. 

Christ has set us free from the chains of sin through his amazing grace. That is real freedom. Amazing. Grace.

Shifting Sands

One of the things that blocks out the Lord is our independence. When things are going well, we rely on our own innate abilities and strengths and forget our need for God. Well, I’m speaking for myself here but I suspect there may be others who fall into this category.

This is why deserts can be a blessing. It’s when I’m in the desert that I cry out to God and I rely on him to reveal the blockages and pitfalls and mountains which impede my progress and keep me in fear. 

There are probably a lot of different types of deserts in the world. I’m no expert but I think I may google that later and explore what they are. I know that there are deserts of stone and then there are deserts of sand, dunes which shift and blow in the powerful winds. Don once rode a train across the Nubian desert and was amazed when it would stop in the middle of nothing but shifting sands and people would get off and head off home bearing their purchases and belongings. He could see no landmarks by which they could navigate but somehow the indigenous desert folk knew how to find their way. 

Perhaps they were guided by celestial lights, the sun and moon and stars. When I feel lost in a desert of shifting sands, the only place to look is to the heavens and trust God to guide me through. Note to self.