There is too little understanding of the meaning of human dependency. It ought to be a part of our education to learn the meaning and discover how to gain the best results of every person’s dependency on others. In America there is such a high opinion of individuality and spunk in persons that we may miss the reality that human individuality is enhanced by appropriate dependency. Rightly understood, dependency contributes to maturity, a high value in Christianity as well as in general society – even though there is considerably more to Christian maturity than is commonly perceived in nature’s maturity. I began life as a fetus dependent upon mother. In my birth there was evidence of the effects of the diet, habits, and orientation of my mother. I was dependent for years on parent, teachers, and others with whom I had to do. In growth I became, more and more, a contributor to the system, so to carry a portion of responsibility to others. Others rightly became dependent upon me in the ongoing of life. I was given personal benefits so to expect to give more than I received. If we live long, we gradually lose the force and quantity of our own contributions, and return to being served more than we serve. God makes up for the difference in making the aged Christian more committed to prayer so leaving God, the intrepid servant to his creation, to fill the cup of our responsibility to be helpful to others – both physically and spiritually. We are dependent.
If this large factor, necessary to a peaceful and growing society, were understood and adopted, it might be better cultivated in institutions, and personal conduct. It would not admit of a sense of inferiority (in being helped), or superiority (in being a helper). It would develop some interesting and magnificent qualities in mankind, like meekness and humility. The meek person is stronger than the muscular braggart. Meek persons are in control without bluster. Humble persons are more responsible than dreamy celebrities. There are variances in practices of meekness and humility. Failing to understand the principles, some persons miss them for life. They create doubt about process. A woman on the Titanic was a pain to everyone around her. She complained about everything, embarrassed many who tried to be helpful, even to embarrassing others listening in. When word circulated that the ship was sinking, the woman disregarded her own safety, and ran from door to door along passageways, knocking to awaken sleeping passengers to the danger. She helped people into the life-boats. Picked up by a man and tossed into one of the lifeboats she looked up to see a blanket tossed toward her. She grabbed for it, knowing it was meant for her. In the blanket was a baby. She shielded the infant until the next day, when she was picked up by the Carpathian. She found the parents of the little child had also been rescued, were on board, and she carefully delivered the baby into their arms. One wonders why we so need something dramatic to realize how dependent we are upon each other and that dependency is necessary to everyday lives, in everyday needs. The lady also needed to be understood. To gain a sense of worth, she had to be a pain. In the important matters she was an angel. There is something to be learned here. Talked to rightly the lady would have become less painful. In ministry I have met a number of these persons, even enjoyed them.
When we act independently of others we tend to demonstrate traits we do not appreciate. We will be selfish, proud, perhaps belligerent and superior to others – the unwashed, peasants, and pitiful. We lose the perception of the gifts of life. Health and wealth are gifts, education and leadership are gifts, wisdom and energy are gifts – and so the story goes. We need to understand that God gives the basic gift, or its ingredients, in his participation, but he leaves it to the person to mature in the gifts. Those who do mature, as God has maturity, find a presence in their lives above the proofs of the world. They follow the concept that God has entered life, with humanity, for the good life of service – giving and receiving. The principles, if applied to any nation, would end conflict to warfare and make civil the civilization. Work for it. It is worth the effort even if the result is not achieved quite as we would have it. We remember that God measures success, not by human standards, but by his – to be faithful to his principles, values, and love. In that context the solutions are somewhat different than they are in wholly human parameters. God makes it clear that we may lose some challenges along the way, but he will win for us. All that is part of faith living and proves itself in the extensions of our beliefs and conducts. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020