Happy Interdependence Day

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

-Jesus

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day for America.  Today will be filled with picnics, BBQ’s, family gatherings and firework displays, moments that are rich in joy and thanksgiving only when shared with others, even as our nation, ironically, celebrates our independence from others.   It’s rather odd, if you think about it.

While I think it is a good thing to give thanks and celebrate the many blessings we have as a people of this country I think it is also a good thing to pause and recognize our interdependence on each other, even other nations (thanks to Shane Claiborne for the idea of celebrating Interdependence Day), and most importantly, the Lord of heaven and earth and all nations and rulers, Jesus Christ.   Indeed, it is odd to be celebrating our independence as a nation when we are most certainly not that today.   Imagine what would happen if today China called in her debts.   America is not as “independent” as we like to think, as my friend Blake Huggins argues.

In fact, the whole enterprise of independence is a product of the times in which our nation was founded.  The source for truth, liberty, happiness and freedom resides within each individual.  We are autonomous.  The greatest virtue became the ability to achieve for the self whatever the self determined it desired.   In fact, in our country it is almost considered immoral if one does not do all they can to accomplish their personal, individual, independent goals and dreams.   We have become a nation of people obsessed with independence from others.  Who are you to tell me what is right?  Who are you to tell me what to do?  I am my own person. These are our values.

I am grateful for Independence Day this year because it forces me to think through the myriad of ways that I am not independent (nor is our nation).   I need others.  I need you.   In fact, I do not even know who I am apart from the many interpersonal relationships that have formed me throughout my life.  I am reminded of the African ubuntu saying, “You are, therefore I am.”  For all of you, I am grateful and give thanks this day.

But even more than this I am grateful that Jesus recognized how our independence would kill us.   Our desire for independence is what led us to reach for the forbidden fruit in the first place and today, each time we grasp for the ever-elusive freedom to ourselves, we fall.   Jesus does not wish this for us but has grafted us each into himself.   We are not independent but are rooted to the source of Life.   Apart from Christ we can do nothing.  We are deeply dependent on God for our very life.   All that we have is gift.

So while I celebrate with friends and family today with good food and fun I will take note of all the ways I am not me without you.   I will take notice that without God, none of this exists.  I will take note of all the ways I am not independent and I will give thanks and praise.

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