"Here’s what is working against us, guys. We are traveling through life unconnected and unexamined, but we’re careful to maintain an image suggesting that we’re OK when we really aren’t. The guy we present in public looks all right, while deep inside we harbor great turmoil and conflict. But we don’t live in a vacuum; those emotions have to go somewhere. Some of us who feel unconnected choose avenues of relief and comfort outside of God’s plan, which only brings harms to relationships with Him and others. “ Every Man pg.142

Having lost the influence of a father figure in my life since I was about 12 years old, I like many of you had to develop an independent spirit early on just for mere survival. The whole goal of independence is freedom from control or the influence of others. The problem is the only way to effectively live independently means keeping everyone at an arms distance, hiding your weaknesses and keeping a wall of self protection around your heart at all times. It’s an easy position to justify and actually often disguised as a strength.

About 3 years ago I began to pray, “Lord please help me acknowledge my need to need.” I was no longer content in being independent and had come to realize and embrace that we were created as humans, by God himself to NEED and depend on others in a healthy way. The pursuit of true community has no longer become “optional” for our own family. I’ve got a ways to go but I can’t tell you how much more liberating it feels when I journey with others instead of alone any more!

Here’s a little commentary from Eugene Peters in his book called the Message regarding 1 Corinthians 12:

"Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink”

Blessings and a great weekend to you gents.

Rob