Dependence Day

Today is July 4 - Independence Day in the United States. In my house, we've celebrated two independence days this year - in Ghana on March 6, and today in the U.S. We want our children to be proud of their heritage - where they come from, where they are, and where they will be. I think we need to have an appreciation and high regard for our heritage. It is the past that shapes who we are today; but it doesn't necessarily shape our future.

Today's lectionary Old Testament text was about the healing of Naaman. He was a mighty warrior, well-respected and held in high regard by others in government and the armed forces. He was successful, but he had leprosy. With sores and lesions all over, he was in need of healing. His wife's servant, a girl from Israel, knew about the healing power of Elisha the prophet. Naaman was encouraged to go and get the healing he needed. When he arrived, Elisha told him what to do - to wash in the Jordan River seven times. But Naaman, the proud warrior, thought he was too good to wash in the Jordan; he wanted to go to a cleaner river. His servants helped him swallow his pride, and he eventually went to the Joradan, washed seven times, and was healed.

Pride often gets in the way. On this independence day, I have been thinking that we should re-name it "Dependence Day," because of the pride we place on our country and our elitism. We place blind faith in our political leaders (Democrat, Republican, or other political party); we believe strongly in our military might; we spend trillions of dollars as though we will stop bleeding debt. As a nation, and as people, we want our independence, but the ways we assert our independence remind us that we are placing our nation, our ideologies, and our leaders above God. We need this day to remind us that we must be dependent - on the God who provides unconditional love, support, and blessings beyond measure. It doesn't come from "pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps," or from military power; it comes from God.

Happy Dependence Day! Remember who you are, and whose you are!