Am I the Problem?

(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

THE BIBLE TEACHES we can be complete, be fulfilled, possess well-being, and enjoy quality of life only through the person of Jesus Christ as we experience Him as relevant to all areas of our lives. There can be no true happiness or healthiness apart from a desperately dependent connection with Jesus. But with all our wisdom we do not find the solutions for life’s struggles in Him. We believe we can be independent. Stop a minute and consider what that word means to you. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being independent? Do any of these words match your choices: strong, powerful, complete, confident, self-reliant, or alone? Webster’s dictionary definition for independent includes “not dependent; not subject to control by others; not affiliated with a larger controlling unit; not requiring or relying on something else; not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct; showing a desire for freedom.”

On the other hand, consider the word dependent. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being dependent? Do you come up with mostly negative connotations, such as needy, weak, attached, addicted, or lacking? Webster’s dictionary definition for dependent includes “determined or conditioned by another; relying
on another for support.” Especially in our American culture it seems that dependence is discouraged in favor of independence. But we still pride ourselves on the concept that when we are in need we can depend on our fellow Americans to come to our assistance. We live in contradiction, striving for independence we can never actually attain.

God is the only one who is truly independent, because independence is an attribute of deity. He does not rely on anyone or anything to complete Himself. He is not subject to control by others. Reality sets forth the fact that all that is depends on God. Nothing can exist apart from God. Everything owes its existence to God.

For through him God created everything
      in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
      and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
      Everything was created through him and for him. —Col. 1:16 (NLT)

“But the God of Israel is no idol!
      He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including his people, his own special possession.
      The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” —Jer. 51:19(NLT)

Humanity was designed to be in a dependent relationship. We were never intended to be independent. God’s order is for His creation to depend on Him and His sufficiency in all areas of our lives. But we want to be independent.

What keeps you from connecting to God?