Examining Our Independent Lives With Jesus

In today’s episode of Orderly, we’re diving into a topic that hits home for many women—independence. It’s a value we often admire and strive for, one that can feel empowering, fulfilling, and necessary in a world that encourages self-reliance. But what happens when our sense of independence keeps us from the deep, intimate relationship we truly desire with Jesus? That’s what we’re examining today.

The Blessing (and Trap) of Independence

For many women, independence brings a sense of agency. It allows us to make decisions, build careers, raise families, and carve out lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling. This isn’t necessarily bad—after all, the Bible encourages freedom in several areas. We’re called to free ourselves from:

• The love of money (Hebrews 13:5)
• Pride (Romans 12:16)
• Fearful spirits (2 Timothy 1:7)

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents a theme of freedom. We were created to be free, and Jesus came to free us from death, sin, and other forms of enslavement. But here’s the twist—the Bible also emphasizes dependence on God, which can feel counter to the independence we value so much.

Trusting in God vs. Trusting in Ourselves

The Bible doesn’t shy away from warning against misplaced independence. In Jeremiah 17:5, it says:

"This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.’" — Jeremiah 17:5,7 NIV

It’s a stark reminder that when we trust in ourselves or others more than God, we risk drifting away from Him. Independence can turn into a trap, where we rely solely on our own abilities and strength. But what does true freedom look like in Jesus? It’s the freedom to depend on Him, knowing that He’s the source of everything we need.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" — Psalm 56:3-4 NIV

Balancing Independence with Dependence on God

It’s not that independence is inherently wrong—it’s about recognizing where our independence ends and our dependence on God begins. Jesus invites us into a relationship where we can lean on Him, not just when we’re weak or struggling, but in every aspect of life. The very freedom we’re meant to enjoy comes from our dependence on Him, not from doing everything on our own.

The Importance of Community

The Bible also reminds us that we’re not meant to live isolated, independent lives. We’re part of a bigger community—the body of Christ—and we need one another:

"So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." — 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV

Just as we depend on God, we also need to depend on each other. The strength of our independence can sometimes make us believe we should "go it alone," but true growth and support come when we allow others to walk alongside us in life’s journey.

Today’s Challenge:

Ask yourself, Where has your independence led you away from God? Are there areas of your life where you’ve tried to take control instead of relying on Him? Or perhaps, are you resistant to asking for help from your community, thinking you need to figure it out on your own?

Let’s start rethinking independence—not as something to idolize but as something to balance with a deep, abiding dependence on Jesus and a genuine connection to others.

BeckyCrawley.com
Journaled With Steph