Today is Independence Day in the USA, one of the most significant days in that country’s history as they remember their independence from England in 1776. As we prepare for our anniversary coffee morning today (setting up the tables, crafts, photos, bunting and balloons which will form part of our celebrations), I’m reminded that independence is not something which applies to Christian churches.
We believe that independence is highly desirable and encourage our children to become independent from an early age. But when it comes to our relationship with God, we are not encouraged ever to become independent of Him. Instead, each day teaches us to rely on Him fully, to depend on Him for our every need. Just as the Israelites had to collect manna daily while they were in the wilderness (except for on the Sabbath), so too we must learn to live by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7) We are called to a relationship of trust and dependence – something that often irks us! We don’t have all the answers; we don’t know what the future will hold. But we do know that we walk with God, hand in hand, so to speak, and therefore we have both hope and confidence, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:21)
We are also called to live in community, in an interdependence with other people, which is what church is all about. We are not Christians in isolation. We belong to each other; we need each other. GPCC needs you! We need fellowship with other Christians, which is why our involvement in Dearne Churches Together is so important to us.
Don’t seek to be independent and live without thought of God. Don’t seek to be isolated and go through life on your own. Trust in God; find your community of believers, and stick with them through thick and thin.