Dependence
Thought I’d continue this stream of conscious thought (maybe more unconscious!) that I began in my post “Didn’t See That Before.” It began with a look at Colossians 1:28-29: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (NIV) His energy works through me – that really got me. How does that happen? First, it begins with brokenness (check out that post)
Secondly, dependence is the flip side of brokenness in working with God. If brokenness is the deep distrust in our own abilities to do anything of eternal significance, then dependence is the reliance we have on God alone to do through us all he asks of us. Brokenness is humbly recognizing the depths of our own personal bankruptcy; dependence is confidently drawing upon the fullness of our wealth in Christ. We must have both.
To abide in Christ must always involve brokenness – John 15:4-5: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV) It will always involve dependence as well – John 15:5.
While dependence involves many things, one central feature towers above the rest – prayer. It seems that prayer is the single greatest litmus test for the reality of our dependence. I’m speaking not only of prayer times, but prayer as a way of life – calling out to God – asking for wisdom and strength at every moment.
I don’t buy into the fact that the reason we don’t pray is because we’re too busy. I think it’s because we’re too confident. When God opens our eyes to our neediness in everything that really matters, prayer becomes more than a spiritual discipline. It becomes the soul’s grasping for the air only God can provide.
