Hunter Christner

When you were born you were fully dependent on your parents to take care of you. I am quickly learning that about my son as a new dad. There are skills that he must develop before he can become independent. But here is a question for you to ponder: Is full independence the ultimate goal for a person? Is full independence your goal as a person? What if the goal of moving from fully dependent to fully independent was replaced with the goal of moving from fully dependent to interdependent. 

Interdependence is when two or more people are dependent on each other. Complete independence is not how the world works. This was evident when God created humans which is recorded in the Bible in Genesis chapter 2 verse 18: “... God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a him a helper suitable for him.’” God recognizes that we aren’t supposed to live independently. We are supposed to help each other as we live life together.

There are over 50 different instances in the New Testament where there are instructions to “do” something to, or for, or with someone else. These are known as the One Anothers. It is clear that God intends us to interact with one another and meet one another's needs. Your relational connections are hindered when you are hyper focused on independence. When you begin to open yourself to interdependence, you will see that other people can help you with things that you are not great at. 

You will also find meaning and satisfaction in the ways you can serve those around you when people around you are interdependent. God has given each person different talents that he intends for us to use to help others flourish in life. We often dismiss talent as something that is used in the entertainment industry, like athleticism, but there are all sorts of different talents that exist in a community like ours to help each other flourish in life. 

When you consider what talents God has given you, and that he has granted you your existence, it’s humbling to realize that you are actually still fully dependent on God. One hundred percent independence in this world isn’t actually possible. You are dependent on God for your body, your breaths, your ability to work and ultimately eternal life. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it is not by ourselves or by other people that we are saved but “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This salvation is from living eternally in hell, which is independence from God forever. This is the result of living this life without recognizing you are nothing without God and turning toward dependence on him in your daily life. The passage goes on to remind us that we are not supposed to be independent but rather we are created by God to do what he has prepared us to do. This especially includes the One Anothers. 

Therefore, we are actually fully dependent on God for everything. We ought to live in interdependence with one another in our community so that everyone may flourish and understand the truth. In what ways have you been hyper focused on independence? How can you benefit from someone else's strengths and graciously receive it? How are you going to live interdependently with others and fully dependent on God?  

*Song recommendation: “Abide” by Dwell Songs (feat. Aaron Williams)

(Hunter Christner is associate staff at Campus Ventures in Powell.)