#34 Independence
Do you remember when you had toddlers in your life? Do you recall their high energy, constant chatter, paths of never-ending clutter, and insatiable need to explore every aspect of their surroundings? As they discovered and learned, their desire increased for independence, doing things for themselves.
Things like feeding themselves, getting themselves dressed (including selecting mismatched attire), and tying their shoes, all become means of asserting their independence. We have all heard toddler phrases like “I can do it myself.” The role of parents is to guide children on this journey of self-discovery and ultimate mastery of the skills necessary for an independent life.
Generally, our culture raises us to assert independence. Individuals should be fully able to fend for themselves and make their way in the world by developing all necessary skills and acumen. Frequently we understand this to mean economic independence as much as anything. The accumulation of material goods frequently signifies that we have “made it.” But this is the aspect of our culture that conflicts most ardently with the teaching found in the Gospel.
In the accounts found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus suggests that “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Frederick Buechner, author of The Sacred Journey, shared where the conflict between our culture and the Gospel occurs at this point.
“…with his [sic] credit card in his pocket, the rich man is so effective at getting for himself everything he needs that he does not see that what he needs more than anything else in the world can only be had as a gift. He does not see that the one thing a clenched fist cannot do is accept a helping hand.”[1]
The beauty of the Church is that it provides us a context in which to both receive and give with open palms. In practicing extravagant generosity, we learn to develop “interdependence.” As we give of ourselves, our time, and our material gifts, our hands loosen their grip, availing us to receive what we need to help shape us into the people God intends.
Yes, most of us are certainly able to “do it myself.” When honest, we might even feel some contempt for those who need help from us or other mission partners. But the lesson of the Gospel is that only with genuinely open hands can we receive the eternal blessings that God has prepared for all of us.
There are numerous opportunities within this community and others to practice extravagant generosity. Let us encourage one another to loosen our grip.
[1] Buechner, Frederick. The Sacred Journey. Harper One, 1991. P. 46
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Dan Kreiss, RPC’s Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach, brings with him a heart for service and a diverse array of experiences in the mission field. Be sure to subscribe to the Mission Outreach Blog to read and follow along as he documents his personal journey and shares his vision for RPC’s mission outreach commitment. Along with providing meaningful resources, this blog will help jumpstart the important conversations our church community must be having about missional living.
Dan Kreiss
Rev. Dr. Dan Kreiss is the Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach at RPC. Dan is particularly passionate about encouraging the church to reflect the diversity found in its surrounding community in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, education and economic status.