As we look forward to celebrating Independence Day, let’s remember to be “in dependence on God, not independent of God!” We are certainly an independent kind of culture and country. Our self-reliance continues to affect our country’s character. We live in a culture and country that values independence; self-reliance is almost second nature to us. But if we’re not careful, this mindset can shape our hearts in ways that distance us from God and from one another. I think we can all agree: when selfishness, pride, and self-seeking drive us, our relationships with both God and people start to break down.
I know this firsthand. I can be pretty independent, sometimes wanting to prove I can handle it on my own. Asking for help? That’s usually the last thing on my mind. As we say in Hawai‘i: “I gettum!”
But Proverbs 8:13 humbles me:
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
The truth is, my carnal nature still pulls me toward prideful behaviors and careless words. Lord, help me! Pride is a root I must keep bringing to the surface and surrendering to God.
Solomon also reminds us:
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8
This verse challenges me to think through the consequences of pride before I react. What would the “end of the matter” look like if I responded with humility instead?
I’m so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. But even more, I’m praying that we would focus on what’s going on inside our hearts. May we grow to be people who live in humble dependence on God—not proudly independent of Him.
And may we choose to live interdependently—caring for, loving, and supporting one another as the ‘ohana of God, even in an independent nation.
