Live Your Best Life
Be God-Dependent, Not Independent
I've noticed that in our culture, independence and self-sufficiency are highly valued. We're told that to live our best lives, we need to grab life by the horns and make things happen for ourselves. Don't rely on anyone else, just go out there and be your own god.
But as I’ve lived my life, made my share of mistakes and found my way forward, I’ve realized this path of independence is actually a surefire way for me to wreck my life in the long run. The Bible teaches that true fulfillment comes not from being self-sufficient, but from living a life of dependence on God.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come.
—Ecclesiastes 12:1
King Solomon, considered the wisest man who ever lived, understood this well. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he reflects back on his life and all the ways he tried to find meaning - through pleasure, success, isolation from others, and rejecting wisdom. But in the end, he found it was all "meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
His conclusion? "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come." (Ecclesiastes 12:1) The earlier in my life that I learn to depend on God, the better off I'll be.
So what does it mean for me to be "God dependent"? It means recognizing that God is the one on the throne, not me. As much as I may crave control and hate to admit my limitations, I am not self-sufficient. I need help beyond myself.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) Leaning on God rather than myself goes against my natural inclinations, but it's the only path to peace.
Just like how a baby instinctively cries out when it's hungry or scared, knowing a parent will come meet its needs, God wants me to cry out to Him. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) He is my loving Heavenly Father who knows what's best for me and is ready to help if I humble myself and ask.
Being God-dependent also means I need to be willing to listen to the wisdom and counsel of others, especially those further along in their spiritual journey than I am. "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20) I'm not meant to go it alone, but to live in community where we can encourage and sharpen one another.
Of course, learning to live a God-dependent life is a lifelong process for me. Even Solomon, in all his wisdom, struggled to consistently walk the path of relying on God over self. But that's why it's so important that I "remember my Creator in the days of my youth" and build that dependence on Him while my faith is still being formed.
No matter my age though, it's never too late to get off the dead-end road of self-sufficiency and onto the path of making God my first priority. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) When I humble myself, turn from my self-centered ways and depend on Him, He is ready and waiting with open arms to lead me into the full life He has planned.
So if I want to truly live my best life, I won't strive to "be God" and do it all myself. Instead, I will aim to be God dependent. I will cry out to Him, lean on Him, listen to His wisdom and let Him direct my path. It may not always be the easiest road, but it's the only one that leads to true, lasting peace and fulfillment in my life. As Jesus Himself said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
Read more about how you can cultivate good, healthy relationships for your life.