Our lips might repeat sola Christo (“Christ alone”), but our eyes are too quickly enamored with the work of our hands. In a world that takes every opportunity to push us towards self-reliance, we must remember that we are not made for independence, but for dependence on our Creator. One way we can do this is by taking a look at those before us who fought the same battle. 

After the breakfast orders have been placed and spilled Cheerios become tiny life preservers in the milk puddles on our table, I pull on my coat, slip on my muck boots, and head out the door.

The cold greets my face with a chilly blast while my feet break apart the snow nobody ordered. It’s time to feed and water our ducks. 

It’s a ritual I perform each day, yet the simple act never ceases to affect me. I leave the quiet, comfortable, temperature-controlled environment of my home for the uncontrollable outdoors. Inside, temperature can be changed with the touch of a finger, entertainment sits ready in my pocket, and rolls of paper towel can show up at my door with next-day shipping.

It’s not that life is easy inside. With three small children, the chaos of toys and responsibilities are ever present. Yet despite all the hustle, I still hear the whisper that control is in your reach. I feel it as I scroll on my phone, plan our day, or respond to my kids. I get to have some say in this day, and I’ll make it work.

The Lie of Autonomy

But once my face meets the icy air, I’m hit with a different reality. I can’t change this cold. I feel small in the biting wind. While I lug the five-gallon bucket of water, I remember I’m just as dependent as the ducks waiting for me to relieve their thirst. My luxuries inside can be gone in an instant. It’s here, in the wilderness, that the distractions of my days unravel long enough to remind me of reality. I’m dependent. The idea that I am autonomous, that I can control and expertly manage my life is nothing but a lie.

As Christians, realizing our dependence in a world of autonomy can be a challenge. Since the day the snake whispered to Eve in the garden, generations have been fixed on the idea that we can control our lives. Everything around us reinforces this idea.

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