"Declaration Of Independence!"

As we approach July 4, 2012, we are looking at the world through brand new eyes.  Wars and rumors of wars, children are not safe at schools, neighborhoods have become battle grounds and places of a sanctuary are show cases for the "rich, famous, and better than."  Honoring the Creator of all things, we realize that we are not in this time for no reason.  We acknowledge that we are alive for a reason and in the Kingdom for such a time as this.  Declaring Independence means more than the separation from co-dependent behaviors, more than moving out of a domestic situation and that you have come "of age."  It means more than removing ourselves from others but, in my thinking, it means the clear interpretation of what dependence means. When we depend on anything, we rest in it, we are secure in it, we trust that what we depend on will satisfy the need for which we cling to it.  Having woke up some many mornings, there are not many people, places or things in this life experience that you can depend on like that.  Only God, has proven to be that source that no matter what season, no matter what the situation, the lost, the gain, the consistency of a relationship with God through the principles of love taught to us through Jesus Christ that we can rest in this restless world.  That we can sleep at night knowing that no matter what powers we see, we hear or we experience, that there is a greater power working and we can rest on that - we can depend on that power to care for us.

As we declare our independence it is imperative to understand that we are created dependent.  We cannot live this life without someone.  We cannot live this life without love, companionship, or socialization - we were not cut like that - we need each other.  That being said, because we are like each other, we could never fully depend on us to be there for us (I hope you understand that!).  We are fickle beings, some days we are in good moods, some days we are not... some days we want to be bothered and some days we don't.  It's human nature and we don't deny it... we ascribe to live, embrace and honor our divine existence but we live daily to overcome and discipline ourselves to not succomb to our lower nature, our human nature. 

So I want to be independent!  Independent of my lower self, independent of clinging to others for something that they could never give me.  Independent of seeking from humanity what they so desperately need from God themselves.  So I rest in my dependence to my God, rest in that I am secure in knowing that this relationship will never fail me - although I will surely fail it.  I continue to strive, to grow, to surrender to become ever so dependent that I might truly know the independence that comes from serving a true and living God.

That gives me rest when I am restless, feeds me when I am spiritually hungry, comfort my soul during times of lost and disappointment.  In the times when I just don't know what to do, I can rest and be dependent that my times are in my God's hands.  I am never too low, never too far, never too bad, never too dirty... always loved, always embraced... always secure - I am truly "declaring my Independent."  Enjoy your fourth of July and don't forget to continue to pray for our troops - home and on the battle field!