I’ve bought the lie, not just once but multiple times. The book of Romans (Romans 12:2) tells us we need our mind to be transformed, and that’s a continual need, a continual practice. Many of our cultures whisper and even shout that we need to be strong, just do it, make something of yourself, climb the ladder, be the leader, etc. Some of these messages can have positive aspects, but overall, I think they are communicating a need for independence. Yet when I look at Scripture, I hear a different message. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Wait, you mean I don’t have to have it all together all the time? Actually, the whole idea of the Body of Christ tells us we are a team, we can’t do it all alone. We need one another. Reliance on God and others is strongly encouraged in the Bible. So where does this independence streak come from? Especially living on the field, where childhood friends and family members are an ocean away, I can feel like I am doing it alone sometimes. But that’s not what the Christian life is supposed to look like!

The surrendered life is one that daily acknowledges our need for our Savior. It’s surrendering to Him over and over again; choosing to put your trust in Him instead of yourself and your abilities. I don’t want to walk through life only accomplishing the things that I could do with my own strength and abilities. I want to live relying on Him and the body of believers He has placed around me. I only get one shot at life on earth, and I don’t want my attempt at independence to limit the life I live.

If Moses restricted himself to only do what was in his ability as a leader, the Israelites would never have left Egypt. They would have never crossed the Red Sea. They would have starved in the wilderness. Moses had to be completely reliant on God because God called him to live a life so beyond his own abilities. That’s what I want! It starts with surrender; it’s daily dependence on God and trusting Him to be Who He is! Let’s throw off the pressure to do it all, and let’s walk this adventure in His strength with our eyes on Jesus! May our anthem be, “Til Christ returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ, I stand!”