Declaration
of Dependence
By Karen D’Amore
“Apart from Me you
can do nothing.”
John
15:5b (NIV)
Remnants
of the holiday are still evident throughout our neighborhood with the crackle
of lingering fireworks echoing against the night sky, and porch-mounted
American flags continuing to flap proudly in the wind. Sometimes with holidays like
the Fourth of July, my immersion in the social gatherings and community events diverts
my focus, overshadowing the true meaning behind the holiday.
This
year, reflection on “Independence Day” and the current state of our nation, drew
me to reread the Declaration of Independence. Two powerfully convicting statements
stood out: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness.” “…with a
firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge
to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” [1, emphasis
added]
Wow…there
is a Declaration of Dependence within our country’s Declaration of
Independence! While declaring independence from foreign tyranny, our Founding
Fathers instituted a Declaration of Dependence on Almighty God. It saddens me
to acknowledge how far we’ve strayed…as individuals, and as a nation, from a
statement of dependence on God. Society sensationalizes the importance of
“independence” and “self-sufficiency”…a lie I (too) bought into before
surrendering my life to Christ. In those years of pursuing independence with a
vengeance, my mantra was “I can do it myself!” While glorifying self-reliance,
I equated strength with independence and needs with weakness. In those wandering
years, I prided myself with needing no one…including God!
As
Christ-followers we’re called to abolish “independence” as we live surrendered
lives in-dependence on Him. Webster’s
defines dependence as: “the quality or state of being influenced or determined
by or subject to another; reliance, trust.” Our physical and spiritual existence
is dependent on our relationship with God.
Our
natural lives are prideful lives based on our own resources, sight, strength
and a declaration that we don’t need God. The supernatural life calls us to
humble ourselves in dependency on God and trust in His resources, sight and
strength. I’ve learned that God is most glorified in our dependency on Him, as
He works through us to make the impossible…possible. He promises in Scripture,
"’My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am
glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through
me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).
We
are endowed by our Creator to live
surrendered lives…reliant on the
protection of Divine Providence!
Today…Declare
your Him-dependence and find True
freedom!
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Identify areas where you need to abolish independence
for Him-dependence.
FURTHER
READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
