|
July 2008 – Independence Day
From: New College Edition, The American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language.
in-de-pend-ence n. The state or quality of being independent.
in-de-pend-ent adj. 1. Politically autonomous;
self-governing. 2. Free from the influence, guidance, or control of
another or others; self-reliant. 3. Not contingent. 4.
Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization: the
independent vote. 5. Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger
or controlling group, system, or the like; separate.
de-pend-ence n. 1. The state of being dependent, as for
support. 2. Subordination to someone or something needed or greatly
desired. 3. The state of being determined, influenced, or controlled
by something else. 4. Trust; reliance.
The 4th of July, Independence Day 2008. Most of us will either
participate in or observe many celebrations, parties and parades in
remembrance and celebration of our nation’s Declaration of Independence from
the Kingdom of Great Britain.
As a nation and as individuals we place great importance and value on our
independence. But are we either as a nation or as individuals independent?
Should or can we be?
As a nation our dependence of foreign nations for energy is obvious; the
president has even referred to that dependency as an addiction. As a nation
our economy is dependent to a great extent on foreign trade. As I write this
the value of the American dollar has again fallen against foreign
currencies; our financial economy is dependent of a “strong” dollar.
As individuals most of us are dependent on others for our livelihood. Even
those of us who are self-employed are dependent on many external forces for
the success of our independent business. In our personal relationships we
are dependent on others for happiness and fulfillment; although I’m sure
they exist I’ve never met a hermit who was deliriously happy and fulfilled
with life … alone.
Our culture has glorified independence, personal and national, and we’ve
held up as models people who have sung along with Sinatra “I did it my way.”
In our faith journey we UCCers often brag of our congregational
independence. Although we covenant with other congregations for mission
outside our church walls, we hold fast to the autonomous identity of our
congregation within UCC polity.
In the Gospel According to John, 15:5c Jesus says, “apart from me you can do
nothing.” You may say, in context Jesus’ words in 15:5 are in reference to
bearing fruit: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me
and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
(15:5). You would be correct, but bearing or not bearing fruit is the result
of a greater cause ... either being with or without, part of or apart from,
Jesus.
For those of us who call ourselves Christian the success and fulfillment or
lack thereof in our lives individually, corporately and nationally is
dependent on our choice to be with Jesus.
Because Independence Day is a national holiday I offer a closing thought
about our national dependence.
Leading up to and through the 4th of July celebration I have been
listening to many people proclaiming loudly: “The USA is a Christian
nation.” That statement has always been in relation and reference to either
the “war on terror” or immigrants to our country who are not Christian.
We are not a Christian nation.
Although our founding fathers were Christian men they had vastly different
faith understanding and traditions, and in the 1st Amendment to
the Constitution they wisely separated the church from the state. It is true
the majority of American citizens claim Christianity as their faith, however
the actions of our nation betray that choice.
Apart from Jesus we cannot bear fruit. When we as a nation pass laws and
levy taxes that favor the rich over the poor, we are apart from Jesus. When
we as a nation choose to make pre-emptive war on a nation that has not first
attacked us, we are apart from Jesus. When we as a nation spend more money
on weapons of war than on feeding the hungry and healing the sick, we are
apart from Jesus. Apart from Jesus we can bear no fruit.
In this month of Independence celebrations take time to celebrate the Word
of God made flesh and study that Word. Led by the Spirit of truth given by
God in Jesus’ name I am quite sure you will be led to celebrate your
dependence on Jesus the Christ. In that great dependence you will bear much
fruit … individually, in the church, and in the nation.
Your dependent servant in Christ,
pastor john
|
