rugged individualism

"I am a rock, I am an island,
and a rock feels no pain
and an island never cries" - Simon and Garfunkel

I am on my own! This is one of the biggest lies that we hear daily, and one that I have been dealing with lately. We live in a culture that says you are on your own, that says "deal with it and move on".

In the last few days I was reminded of the term "Rugged Individualism". For those who have forgotten your high school history lessons, this term came from Herbert Hoover (and the Republican party) and it means that you should survive and succeed on your own with little government help. Upon some further research I found these 7 tendencies of "individualism"

1. I am free
2. I have rights
3. I am equal
4. Only reason binds me
5. I am isolated from everything
6. I am the master of the earth
7. I am godless

Wow! How opposite is this from the Christian faith! We are created for connection, for relationship and for love of others. Here is my attempt to put 7 tendencies of the Christian Faith just to show how opposite we should be to the tendencies of Individualism.

1. I am a slave (Romans 6:22)
2. I submit to the authority of God (Romans 13:1)
3. I am a son and heir (Galatians 4:7)
4. Christ's love binds me (Romans 8:39)
5. I am connected (Genesis 2:18)
6. I am an heir to the Master (Galatians 4:7)
7. I have one God (Exodus 20:5)

There are some other things I need to be reminded of beyond this list. Things like, I am an image bearer, I am loved, I am free in Christ, and I am forgiven. The last one is tough sometimes.

I am forgiven.

Recently I have been thrown back into my story, and while it has been difficult it feels like more and more pieces are fitting together. It is funny how you think life is good, you know your past and have dealt with it, then WHAM you get hit with something.

Issues of abandonment and control keep rearing their ugly heads in my story. In a meeting with a friend I was discussing my early years on my own, and how broke I was all of the time. There were times I did not eat, had to walk or skateboard to work, because I did not have enough money for gas. His comment to me was that you have come a long way from that past, and have become successful. I have to admit I never saw the next comment coming, and frankly it really got me thinking. He said - wow, that is either a great story of redemption from God, or you have really worked hard. So there is the link to the 7 items above. Has God redeemed my life (sure He has), or have I willed this to happen from vows I have made with myself to never be in that predicament again?

Rugged Individualism or Grace?

I know the answer now. It doesn't change my instinct though. Funny how instinct can override anything we have learned. I am a work in progress, moving through the dynamic process of sanctification.

I am so blessed to have some close friends that know my story, and I can invite them into my revelations and recollections and they help edit and understand my story. I couldn't handle most of this without them. God has put these guys in my life and I am so thankful for them. I also have to thank my wife for being the best editor ever!