Independence?

Some kids are born independent, others learn it later but everyone learns it as some point. Sometimes we become too focused on it. Sometimes we become so obsessed with independence that we forget that we weren't designed to handle everything on our own. Or we go on towards the opposite extreme of independence and focus on our relationship with God and no one else. Don't get me wrong, that is the most important relationship in our lives but it's not the only ones.

Think about this. During Jesus' time on earth living in a human body he didn't choose to come as an adult but as a baby. A baby born to two parents who had brothers and sisters at least one cousin that we know of and probably grandparents and other people in his family. He also had friends.

During Jesus' public ministry there were crowds of people that followed him but there were also twelve disciples that were his "inner circle".

Now I come from a good sized family, I'm the youngest of five kids and my house was at times crowded growing up. Then I spent over a year living in an apartment with three roommates, and there was plenty of the time that we drove each other crazy. And there were only four of us.

Can you imagine living, working and traveling with eleven other people? For years on end? I can't! But I do think that this example teaches us a very important lesson.

It teaches us that relationships with other people are important. We're not designed to handle our lives completely on our own. We need the help of the Lord and the help from the people that he puts into our lives.

When you're going through hard times don't try to deal with it on your own. Talk to a friend, reach out to your pastor, ask for help, rely on the people that God puts into your life. You'd be amazed what a difference it can make.