Jesus did not live, die, and raise from the dead to make me an independent person. Wrapped in the purposes of his incarnation was actually the opposite purpose – the defeat of Satan’s strategy to always move me toward independence. Toward aloneness.
Independent people make a declaration – they don’t need others. They decide they can be emotionally and relationally healthy, spiritually healthy, and even physically healthy all by themselves. They can mature in isolation. No help needed. No advice needed.
But there is a problem with this thinking; it is wrong. And it is wrong because we were not created to be independent. To be loners. We desperately need each other, more than we are aware. In Genesis 2:18 God looked at Adam in his aloneness and said “It is not good that the man to be alone.” And so God made “a helper fit for him.”
Ever since that creation day in the Garden, it has been evil’s intent to make man alone because when he is alone “it is not good“. And so the serpent in the Garden devised a strategy to always make man desire to be alone, to hide. And so Adam and Eve hide from each other, they hide from God, and they hide from themselves. They see things in themselves they do not like and are fearful others will see.
What did the enemy use to plant this fear of being fully known so that we create fig leaf masks of independence and competence to hide behind? He planted the most dangerous emotion that exists in mankind. And what is that? That is next week’s blog!!
Processing question: Are there some hidden parts of your life that you have never let a trusted friend into? Where you are alone with your memories. What would they be? Who could you reveal them to so that they can embrace you with love and walk together with you into the light of God’s presence where there is healing and forgiveness?
Processing question: What is the difference between being free and being independent? Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
A personal note: No doubt you have noticed I have missed a few blogs over the past several weeks, but don’t worry I am not quitting my blogging. Intense ministry travel, sickness, time to process, and it just being summer have all contributed. I suspect there may be more occasional spottiness as the summer progresses, but what I have on my heart to share is deep and so don’t go away.
We so agree with what you have posted. When we look at the world today, more people have a ‘I did it my way’ attitude, that you can see over time, exactly where it leads. No friends, no thanks, no walk with the Lord, or acknowledgement that everything that is good and praise worthy comes from Jesus Christ, not from man alone! Without God and His creation, ‘We Are Nothing!’
Thanks for the comment. So glad you are there. Remember, Jesus died to make us free – not independent.
We appreciate everything you write in the timing you need. Love you and your service for God’s glory.
We look forward to your posts, but understand “summer spottiness”! God’s perfect timing will ensure your words are delivered exactly when they need to be.
In truth your right Bill. But some people are alone because folks simply don’t want to be around them. “The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. Proverbs 14:20
I am reading your book “Lay It Down”. I found it when I typed in the words ‘lay it down’ in an effort to understand what the Bible meant with those words… and in my search for answers to a personal struggle. I identify with this book and it’s message beyond anything I could have hoped for. And the many quotes from Brennan Manning made me smile. I had the privilege of meeting him before he passed as I am a New Orleans native. Thank you for this book Mr. Tell. And thank you for the message that is needed like a drink of water in a dry and desolate desert. Clarity. What you talk about has kept me SO distant from the Lord. What u clarify i want to scream from the mountain top!!
Jenny!
Thanks for the comment you left. You encourage my heart. I am so glad you came across “Lay it Down.” It was interesting that you mentioned you were from New Orleans and had met Brennan. I had the privilege of being at one of his last conferences at Navigator headquarters here in Colorado Springs. My boys accuse me of having the largest collection of Brennan Manning books in existence!
If per chance you bought “Lay it Down” on Amazon – sure would appreciate it if you could leave a review. Let’s keep screaming the good news from the mountain tops.
-bill
Bill, I so appreciate your timely words in this June 29th posting. Thank you. Linda Butler