Pathetic Dependency

So there is this book I have been reading, a popular one I guess. It falls into the category of fiction and it appears to sit at the top of the list of religious fiction and has for sometime. I only mention this to say that this book is being read and clearly recommended and though I have not finished it I to recommend you give it a read. The Shack by William Young.

Like many great works of fiction The Shack breaks through her cover, through her story and begins to mingle with the ideas and thoughts of real life. If you were to read the back cover of the book you would find that The Shack is a story about a man who suffers great lost with the abduction of his daughter and in this man's pain God invites him to meet with Him in a Shack in the woods. When he gets to the shack he begins interacting with three beings that make up God. In one of the dinner conversations God is talking about humans addiction to independence and that in this search, desire, longing for independence we in many ways put space between ourselves and God.

So this idea of our pursuit for independence has got me thinking.

There is this idea out there that to be independent or to be self supporting means that you are strong and that strong is good. Right? Or does strong eventually turn into power?

Have you ever seen a marriage that is made up of two people who demand their independence? A marriage where they both want to be strong, both want to show that if they had to they could make it on their own. I have seen too many, and the sad prophecy of these marriages it that eventually they will get their opportunity to make it own their own.

Have you ever seen a team made up of team members who demand their independence? These are the sport stars who think that the game is really about them not the team. This is the guy in your office who works alone and always has the attitude that others are slowing him down. Because we live in a culture addicted to independence some of these people "succeed" but the health and success of the team members suffers greatly.

Maybe independence is not really a Kingdom trait? Maybe dependency is?

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Matt 6:9-10

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matt 26:42

The words and actions of Jesus seem to communicate an incredible dependence and yielding to the Father. Next time you read through one of the gospels conscientiously look at Jesus dependence on God the Father.

We have talked about the Kingdom being salt among blandness, light among darkness and that in many ways it's counterculture. Maybe being weak and desperately dependent people is a Kingdom trait we need to reclaim.

I think it is easy to read the life stories of Peter and Paul and think that they were strong independent men who boldly lived out their faith. But if we look closer I think what we see is weak and extremely dependent men.

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
2 Cor. 13:9

What if instead of hiding and covering our weaknesses we showcased them and in doing so displayed our pathetic and desperate dependency on God. Then maybe we the church, the servants of the King would get out of the way and the world around us would see the ultimate reality- the glorious throne of King Jesus.

I'm a pastor who is sick of acting strong. I am so weak, so sinful.

May we allow each other to be weak and sinful so that we can become pathetically dependent on Jesus; so that in that dependency we can be made pure and the world can see the King not us.

God, I am so prideful and work to be independent and impressive. Please make me unimpressive, make me weak. We apologize for trying to steal the show, for making it more about us and less about you. We don't depend on you much but we want to, help us Jesus. Help us be a people that pathetically depend on you.
In the name of King Jesus, Amen.