In the US we celebrate independence. We celebrate it every July 4th as a country, but we also celebrate it on the individual level. Every time a child takes their first steps or he can tie their own shoe or she successfully makes their first peanut butter and jelly. Independence invites celebration, and it should.
But what happens when we bring our independence and mix it with our relationship with Jesus?
It's not anything new to the Christian world or the Bible reader that Jesus followers are most commonly referred to as sheep in the Bible. It would not have been my top choice. Can't I be a tiger or an alligator or at least a stegosaurus? Nope. I am a sheep. When it comes to my relationship with Jesus, my need for salvation, my need for daily bread, protection, provision and every single good thing in life...I am dependent. Not just dependent on my worst days, a couple days a month, or when I'm struggling. Nope. I am dependent on my very best days, when I'm on a mission trip serving the LORD, when I am singing a worship song in my car and when I'm mowing the lawn for a widow.
When my American independence hits my relationship with Jesus, it doesn't taste to great or at best it feels like something is missing (like not having crushed red peppers for pizza, bummer!). Good thing I have brothers and sisters in Christ, that aren't American, to teach me and show me what it looks like to be a sheep that follows Jesus and isn't afraid of a little dependence in their life.
On a recent trip to Nigeria, I learned so much from meeting Christians there who are living lives that are dependent on Jesus. They taught me with their faith, daily life, and enduring intense persecution. And this new perspective, especially on dependence shines a new light when I read passages of the Bible such as Psalm 23.
I have learned that it's not just OK but it's vital to be dependent on Jesus, especially if I am to know Him as my good shepherd.
I can depend on Him to lead me to quiet waters, green pastures, meet my needs, get me on the right path, protect me from death and enemies as well give me unending love and mercy. Or I can independently seek out those things on my own, and fail to find every one of them every single time. Side note, I have tried and I have successfully proven to myself and my Jesus that I am indeed a sheep, not a tiger when it comes to my relationship with Him.
What if we didn't just celebrate independence, but we also celebrated dependence day?
In fact, the day you said YES to Jesus or the day you got baptized could just be a new holiday for you, your DAY OF DEPENDENCE. Now that's something to celebrate!