Independence

Elisabeth Elliot, in The Music of His Promises, says this about our independence that we value so highly:  "The man or woman who claims some autonomy, some right to himself, some independence, some existence of his own, is too strong,  Too strong to need a Savior, too strong to flee to His cross for refuge, too strong to be crucified with Christ. How then shall he live in Christ, how shall Christ live in him?" 

The apostle Paul said it well:  "I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  He goes on to say that "if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."  (Galatians 2:20-21)

The bottom line is: we need Him.  Not just in our troubles.  Not just when we are feeling sad and lonely and worn out.  We need him when we are full of ourselves and our plans and our happiness and our sense of strength.  We need Him when we shop and play and hang out with friends and bike and boat and make meals.  There is not a breath we take apart from Him. 

I am crucified with Christ.  I cannot live well without Him.  He is my resurrection and my life, the very air that I breathe. 

Next time you are tempted to "do your own thing", remember that as a believer there is no such thing.  You are always His. 

Live in that place.