A pastor once told me about reading a book in which the author extolled the virtues of self sufficiency. The author and his wife lived for a year in the isolated wilderness of the arctic. The pastor bought the story for a while. Understanding creeped in on him. The couple had all the clothing, weapons, tools, technology, and knowledge gained through many generations of men to supply their ability to survive. They had communications with the outside world so they could call in rescue if needed. Several countries were involved in their travel plans, and many different transportation links were required to get them there and get them home. They had to apply to governments to get permission to go live “self sufficiently” for a year. Basically it took all the knowledge accumulated by the human race and its governments to give them the illusion that they were self sufficient. The pastor began to see the irony and humor in their delusion.

All of us live in some level of the illusion of self sufficiency because it is a favorite Americanism in our culture. The pioneers, the cowboys, pick the group of “individuals” you prefer for your favorite self sufficient image. “I can make it on my own. I don’t need anybody. One hero saves the world.”

Men seem to take the most hits for this lone-dog syndrome. I’m sure you’ve met some of those who idolize the myth of John Wayne characters. It doesn’t need to be said if it takes more than five words to say it. It doesn’t need to be done if it takes someone to help you. Dependence on others is only proof that you are a failure. It is amazing that this form of stupidity can sound beautiful in the ears, even if only for the short time it exists before it breaks down. Consider that this might just be the lie the enemy wants people to buy so he can isolate them and take them down.

The entire Bible is about relationship. God wants relationship with us and has proven it. He started with Adam and Eve, creating relationship with Him and between each other. God built a family through Abraham and tribes through his children, which turned into a nation of interdependent souls whose fortunes rose and fell with their community. We are influenced and influencers. We are blessed together and suffer together. We are not alone. We are not without the Lord or without each other, no matter how isolated we may feel or think we are.

Consider what happens when the power grid goes down. You can see what happens in other countries who have been hit by horrible weather or earthquake disasters. People die from the disaster and continue to die from the loss of all the abilities and services gained through the power. Survival begins to be the top priority, and it takes everyone to achieve it. Other countries are drawn in and become the rescue community as the disaster lengthens over time. So how many people does it take to keep you alive? It takes all of us. We need each other. We were created that way.

Rejection and isolation are weapons of the enemy. Look at the sorrow the enemy creates through division. Pride separates people and permits one person to be hurtful to another. One’s superiority means someone needs to be the inferior.

Scripture tells us that the first will be last, and the leader is the servant of all. The king of life sacrificed Himself for us when we didn’t deserve it. There is a better way to live. Love requires humility. It is impossible to love without lifting up the one you love and allowing yourself to be less. Humility sees that each person was a unique creation of God and provided with gifts and talents meant to benefit the community. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are through and to, through the believer and to the person with the need.

The Old Testament is full of the torments the Israelites caused themselves through separation from God and division among each other. Much of Exodus and Numbers involves God teaching the Israelites how to live and respect one another in relationship.Jesus broke many cultural barriers, using the outcasts as examples for good. Each of us has God given talents and abilities.

Jesus is a relationship builder, a community builder. He puts us in right relationship with God and right relationship with each other. Learning to see things God’s way is a life-long educational process because it is counter to our humanity and the world around us. It is the most satisfying of all learning because it has the healing of Jesus in every step forward. Loving others is more than worth the sacrifice it may feel like on the surface. Jesus did it for us. We can learn to do it for others.