Dependence

On Independence Day Tommy and I had the beautiful opportunity to worship at a great church in Vienna, VA. The service was tremendous - full of powerful music, liturgy, and opportunities to hear the Word. More importantly, neither of us have ever visited a church where we have felt more welcome. From the moment we walked in, people were eager to shake our hands, introduce themselves, and ask a bit about us. It wasn't overwhelming or forced, and we weren't asked to stand or otherwise be singled out, we were just welcomed by a people clearly eager to share "their" church with a couple of outsiders. It was a great opportunity for us to enjoy worship together as a family -- and to see incredible people doing God's work in a different way in a different place.

We've followed the blog of that church's pastor for some time - and have come to admire him and his faith. Since we are always in a time of discernment and prayer about where/how God is leading us, we were happy to visit the church, worship, and just think. The sermon and the experience was powerful for both of us -- and we continue to process this season of our life through all that we have seen and heard in recent days and weeks.

The big question that we are challenged by is how we can make choices that lead us to God's best for our lives. "Good" is lovely, comfortable, and something we are capable of managing with some ease --- but is it God's best for our ministry, marriage, or family? The best we can do to answer that question is to think, pray, read, talk about it, and ask some people that we trust to help us in those activities. God's Word is as alive as it has ever been, and He is as vocal with us as he was with the figures on Sunday School walls -- so listening and being open to what we see and hear is a great place to start.

I have some friends who believe that people who believe in the authority of God and the worthiness of His Word and his work - lack the ability to think rationally. The suggestion is that all of us Christians are the same -- and that we are so desperate for comfort and hope -- that we blindly believe a myth rather than actually use logic.

Obviously I disagree. A blind adherence to religion may lack rational thought -- but a living faith requires a constant push & pull. I don't believe a series of facts - I believe in a relationship, a love, and a grace that cannot be "proven" scientifically any more than you can "prove" that you love your spouse, your Mom, or your child.

While faith is the assurance of things hoped for -- it is also the result of tangible experience, awareness, thought, reading, arguing...and doubt.

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. -Hebrews 11:1

But he has always given evidence of his existence by the good things he does: he gives you rain from heaven and crops at the right times; he gives you food and fills your hearts with happiness."-Acts 14:7

For me, faith is not clean and pretty -- nor is it easy. It does involve an aspect of blindness -- just like my love for my husband, daughter, and family does -- but mostly it is a dynamic process.

Our daughter just celebrated her 2nd birthday. She's incredible. We loved partying with her and thinking about how we could make the occasion special. She is totally dependent on us -- and the foundation for how she feels about herself and her place in the world is being created right now -- before she even has a memory to record it. I heard someone recently explain that there is no reason to make a big deal out of birthdays or other events until kids are older - since they can't remember it anyway. I couldn't disagree more. Olive's brain is making more connections right now than it ever will again. Her experiences and interactions are crucial to the way she develops as a person. I don't care if she remembers a single detail of any one party, song, event, expression, or cuddle --- I do care that she lives her life aware of the fact that she has always been endlessly loved -- and part of a community of people who are willing to make a big deal about life. I care that she knows how to pour herself out for other people -- through service, expressions, and events. Besides, this life is temporary (James 4:14). What are we waiting for to celebrate anything we can?

The big deal for Tommy and me in our continuing challenge to be more of the people God wants us to be --and to live out His best -- is to realize and embrace the fact that we are dependent on God -- and that the formation of who we are continues under His care. Our desires for our daughter pale in comparison to God's desires for His children. So as we continue to think, pray, and seek where He wants us right now, we celebrate our independence by living dependent on Him.