True Independence

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 -- "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

image: ohanafun.net

'Tis the season for summer cookouts, firecrackers, and an air laden with dense smoke due to the illegal fireworks Floridians manage to smuggle in for the fourth of the July every year. I can hear the bratwurst sizzlin' on the grill and smell that wonderful aroma of burning charcoal. Ah .... sweet nostalgia.

I pull out my favorite T shirt - the one I got from the Cracker Barrel clearance rack - with it's beaded silver stars and red glittering stripes. There can be no question that while I was raised on foreign soil - I bleed true red, white, and blue. I am ready to celebrate US Independence.

AND - in the spirit of celebration - I came across Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. At first the verse seems to be in complete support of the OPPOSITE of independence. I mean, it says right up front that two are better one. But then I got to thinkin' about somethin'. . .

REAL freedom.

In the midst of a grocery isle with its American Flag themed cups, napkins, paper plates and everything else - I can smile because I AM a free spirit. On top of a Savior who has given me freedom from my sins, God has blessed me with an amazing husband and at least two friends that allow me the freedom to be exactly who I am. There is true Independence when one can grow and bloom into the full person God designed without becoming root bound by legalism, negative opinions, or even judgement of character.

Completely supported by people who accept you - dare I say, warts and all - IS in fact, a beautiful freedom. In fact, these wonderful people allow me to experience growing pains, celebrate victories, and learn new lessons every single day.

Can we offer that freedom to others?

In a hurricane of hurled angry voices over the gay rights issue are we willing to step back and be there for someone who might fall, like it says in Ecclesiastes? Can we truly love a person with whom we don't necessarily agree? Will others KNOW we are Christians by our love?

Well, just take a look at your own friendships - aren't there times when those closest to you don't always agree with the things YOUR doing? Do they give up on you? Do they battle you to the death of the friendship and leave you behind, stricken with grief? And in your own life - have you been ALWAYS on the side of right? Have you NEVER made a mistake? Have you shared every single conviction your friends have experienced?

One of my most dear friends doesn't share my taste in movies. She has different convictions in that area. But that difference doesn't keep us from spending time together - or even seeing the occasional film together. We respect one another. We don't stop loving each other because we don't have the exact same tastes, convictions, or passions.

THAT is true independence. True freedom. While each of us are, indeed, parts of the same body - we are not each the SAME part. In addition to being just plain weird - being exactly like every other body part would be inefficient and incoherent.

So - why don't we celebrate - nay, ENCOURAGE - true independence and real freedom by loving others as God has instructed? Two ARE better than one! Be there for someone and allow a someone to be there for you.

Isn't THAT what God wants?