Independence is an American value but it is not a kingdom value. The kingdom is a collaboration of nations, a community of counselors, a plethora of people working together as one body, though we are many parts. Independence can feel so liberating, even exhilerating in the moment, but the long term effects of independence is loneliness.

Independent, self-sufficient, people act like they need no one but in reality they need people but don’t know how to trust people. Therefore, they form their own opinions and believe whatever they think is right. When you are the only voice you hear, it is easy to believe you are right.

Community is for our safety. Collaboration is for our protection. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” When I read this verse I realized, we need community for it holds us accountable, and keeps us safe.

Independence is an enemy of community, but it also keeps us out of safety. People who struggle to accept correction reveal not rebellion, but rather independence, for independence fosters insecurity. Insecure people cannot be corrected. In community it is not about me, it is about us, so we must learn to listen to one another.

We all need to be value added people to community, but we all must also remain teachable if we are going to live communal. Family is a community, church is a community, cities are communities, nations are communities. Independence destroys the individual, and can create speed bumps in community. Oh that we would love community more than individuality, life is so much better when we do it together. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org