Dependence Vs. Independence

"O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you,

my body longs for you,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water."

Psalm 63:1

I've been reading and meditating on the Psalms lately, and I am humbled by the honest cries and praises of each psalmist.  I like to think of myself as someone who is not afraid of being completely honest with people.  Sometimes I actually find myself avoiding levels of confrontation, just so I wouldn't have to display my conflicting desire to care and challenge someone, and "speak the truth in love." 

This morning I realized how much I NEED and DEPEND on my Creator.  Recently I've been contemplating a change in direction regarding my career and business.  I spent some time praying that God would make it clear whether the paths I've been considering are the rights ones, or the wrong ones.  God speaks.  I believe He speaks through His Word and through my times in prayer.  Today He spoke through Psalm 63. 

This Psalm is all about admitting my entire dependence on HIM, and HIM alone!  If I were in a desert, I would LONG and THIRST for water, right?  Well, my heart's desire is to depend on His direction, wisdom, and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, in the midst of confusion and questions about the future (my desert).  Well, I go back to Matthew 6, where Jesus tells me to "Seek first His Kingdom..."  I know, I know, I know... My head knows... but my heart? 

The human tendency is to seek INDEPENDENCE.  We think of FREEDOM as the ultimate gift for every human being.  Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, freedom of choice, freedom of... you name it!!  But what is TRUE FREEDOM?  I believe it's FREEDOM from sin, freedom from death.  The assurance that I am no longer separated from God and can trust in His promise of ETERNAL LIFE.  What about YOU??  What do you seek freedom from?

And as I look at my baby Joshua today, I am also reminded of my role as a mother:  To prepare him to be "independent".  To raise him and equip him to be a responsible and respectful adult.  And 2 days ago, he started to depend less of me.  He started to CRAWL... 

God bless!