Interdependence (Nathan)

Interdependence, when I first read about it, it sounded like a nice name for communism. But is it not what God is calling us to? Inter means "reciprocal," dependence means "reliance." So we are to be reciprocally reliant upon one another to look out for and care for those around us. This is quite a simple concept, we see it everyday and I don't think we realize it (at least I haven't). Marriage is, I think the biggest example I have seen of this. Webster's says that marriage is "the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family."

What is the point of getting married? According to the Bible it is so that "the two become one." these "two" could function and live perfectly fine lives with out each other. But they instead choose to lay down some of their rights/privileges for the sake of a interdependent relationship. This is such a perfect example of how the early church functioned. If a husband see's his wife in need (whether emotional, spiritual, or physical) would he not go and fulfill that need? If we see a brother or sister in Christ in need are we not called to fulfill that need.

This is what struck the early Romans. The fact that people of "The Way" would not only take care of their own poor, but also the poor among the Romans. What if we were to be known to the world as a people that not only take care of those that are poor here in America, but around the world. The 30 hour famine opened my eyes to the suffering and the solutions to the suffering around the world. In an age of quick travel and technology we so often forget about those that have fallen off onto the wayside. I am every bit as guilty as the next man. It is so easy to "let others take care of the problem," or to "let people get themselves out of problems" but now that I can just look away.

Living in the house we aren't interdependent on each other, but we are dependant on each other for prayer, accountability, and in other ways. It is part of living in a community. It can often be a source of fear (of losing comfort) for those that have not experienced the freedom it brings. We are blessed enough that we don't have to worry about if we are going to eat tonight, but the people we meet on the street are not always as lucky as we are. Those that we have built a relationship with know they can come by and have a meal anytime, they also are often willing to do something for us. Whether it is making a nice cross in our front yard or just doing yard work, they feel the need to give back. To reciprocate the love we show them.