Day 3: Independence Day

Though I wasn’t the kid who couldn’t wait to grow up, I knew a lot of kids who desperately desired to be adults—especially in their teenage years. You might have been one of them, and if not, you certainly know someone who was. As kids, we often saw adulthood as a golden ticket to freedom, no rules, exciting experiences, and respect. We believed that independence was the ultimate goal.

While your perception of adulthood when you were a kid may not have aligned with the reality of it, there are some common reasons why you said you couldn’t wait to be an adult.

• You wanted independence. You looked forward to the freedom that adulthood promised. You saw adults as being able to make their own decisions, set their own rules, and have more control over their lives.
• You wanted to be done with school. The idea of not having to go to school, do homework and listen to teachers made you believe that being an adult means no more studying, reading, learning or attending classes.
• You wanted freedom. Perhaps you were raised in a strict or pressure-filled environment, or perhaps there was instability, fear or uncertainty in your home environment so you counted down the days that you could be free and you looked forward to the freedom that adulthood promised.
• You wanted no rules. You perceived adulthood as a time when you wouldn't have to follow as many rules or restrictions imposed by parents or guardians. You imagined having the autonomy to do what you wanted to do when you wanted to do it.
• You wanted exciting experiences. You romanticized the idea of experiencing adult activities, such as driving, traveling, dating, getting a job, and having more freedom to explore the world.
• You wanted responsibilities. You may have viewed the responsibilities of adulthood, such as earning money and managing your life, as an exciting challenge rather than burdens and you looked forward to proving just how capable you were to handle adult responsibilities.
• You wanted social status. You may have associated being an adult with a higher social status or more respect from others. You perceived adults as having more authority and prestige.
• You wanted to be a role model. You admired the lives of adults and specifically the older kids you watched grow into adulthood, and wanted maybe to emulate them. You saw them as capable, knowledgeable, admirable and in control, which can be appealing.

All of that doesn’t sound too bad but here’s what I’ve learned: the independence we longed for as kids is not what it seems. Yes, adulthood comes with freedom, but it also brings responsibilities, pressures, and decisions that can be overwhelming. Independence is a double-edged sword. While it offers autonomy, it also demands that we handle life’s complexities, often on our own.

The truth is that God never intended for us to live independently of Him. Our desire for independence should not separate us from Him but rather draw us closer. We are called to depend on God, to seek His guidance, and to trust His plan for our lives. True independence should lead us to the interdependence that is found in our reliance on God, knowing that He is our source of strength and wisdom.

Reflections:

1. How has your perception of independence changed as you’ve grown older?
2. In what areas of your life have you tried to be independent from God?
3. How can you shift your mindset to depend more on God in your daily life?

Affirmations:

1. My true independence is found in dependence on God.
2. God is my source of strength and wisdom.
3. I will not attempt to do life without God.