When Independence Is Weakness

By Charlotte Lowrie

For a good part of my life, I fought fiercely to be independent. I was determined that I would depend on no one else, and that I would always make my own way. Dependence was a sign of weakness, and I didn’t want to be weak.

Of course, after I achieved independence, I worried about maintaining my independence. I was watchful for anything that could infringe on me being able to take care of myself. When I decided to be self-employed, it was hard to concentrate on the current project because I always looking for the next job, looking for new ways to make money, and looking for ways to save money.

Then I accepted Christ, and everything changed. I remember one morning at my desk. I was smiling and full of His joy, despite not having a single paying project on the horizon. Somehow, it didn’t matter. As I saw and experienced His unfailing provision over and over, I gladly gave up my independence. His provision is so much richer and more joyful than what I provided for myself.

As a young Christian, one of the first things I understood is that everything belongs to Him. I am only a steward of the blessings that He has generously provided. More important, I know that dependence is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength as I cling to the Source of life. In Him are all things. In Him, I become strong. The Lord taught me that by not depending on Him, I cut myself off from the very source of life, and I become weak.

I learned that my talents are best used in His presence, for He is the source of all my talents. And I know that my talents should be used for His glory alone. Not my glory, but for His glory.

When I think about what He has given me, I know that I will never use the talents and abilities that He has given me unless I completely depend on Him.

Today, I know that independence is weakness. True strength is complete dependence on Him.

Postscript: Due to the ongoing problem of advertisers posting unsavory product ads, I've turned off the ability to comment on articles. If you have comments, please e-mail them to me at charlotte@everydaywithchrist.com.

The Gift of Giving

The gift of giving is one of the most powerful gifts that we have. The Lord gives without counting the cost or measuring the volume. All thing are His to give. And what He gives to us, we are free to give to others.

Our work is to give as He gives to us, without counting the cost. "Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8 NIV)

That means that we give all things: material wealth, spiritual insights, His peace, and His joy. We paid nothing for them, and we are charged with giving them away that His work may be multiplied. It is an unending chain of sharing.

Enough is enough.

More than enough

should be given away.

Nightline Slates Ten Commandment Series

Nightline begins a new series that explores the Biblical commandments from a modern-day perspective starting Thursday, Sept. 24 at 11:35 p.m. ET. The program will look at each commandment, what it means, and how the program's anchors and correspondents apply them to daily life.

Creativity and the Daily Walk

By Charlotte Lowrie

Because I’m a writer and because I’m a photographer, I often think about creativity, and specifically about how creativity relates to my walk with the Lord. I’ve asked the Lord for insights and teachings on creativity. He faithfully provides teachings at the perfect time and in the perfect way.

Is there anyone better to teach creativity than the Great Creator of the universe? I think not. It is humbling to think that the greatest Creator ever would take time to teach anyone, much less me, but He does.

By way of background, the concept of “chance” has no place in my life. Rather, a finely tuned knowingness alerts me to the slightest whisper of the Holy Spirit as He brushes by touching each moment with His wisdom and leading. It’s the Spirit who tells me to look up to discover a new perspective or a new idea. It’s the Spirit who tells me to go left instead of right to discover the best light for the next image. It’s the Spirit who uncovers sweet secrets that I'd otherwise miss.

I’ll share some of the teaching and insights that I’ve received so far. I hope that this is only the beginning of the teachings. Note that in some cases, I’m taking the teachings and insights out of the context of a specific situation or a longer conversation; but for the sake of brevity, I’ll provide the brief version.

“You have to believe that there is a new song hanging in the air around. You only need ears to hear it.” I believe that heaven is filled with music, literally overflowing with music. And I believe that much of that music is, indeed, flowing around us as we walk in the Kingdom on earth. We only have to ask for Kingdom ears to hear the divine symphony.

“Creativity is not random chaos. Rather there is beauty in orderly structure. Structure is part of all creative things.”

“It is your vision of what can be from what exists that’s creative.”

“Habit inhibits creativity. If you travel the same road every day, you see the same things, and your senses become dulled. Take a new way. See new things. Open your eyes to what is around you. Be aware of My voice and My leading.

I hope to add to this article in coming weeks. If you have insights to share, I'd love to hear from you. Just drop me an e-mail or respond to this article.

Continuing Insights on Following the Lord

The great joy in following Christ is the continual learning -- learning how to live in the Kingdom, how to follow, how to reorient thinking, responding, working, how to live as a child of the King. And here are snippets of continuing insights from Bible study and talking with the Lord each day. I hope that these insights resonate with you as they have with me.

• The life you live testifies louder than words. Live so that others see Christ in you.



• It's not what happens but how you respond to it that makes the eternal difference--for you and for others.



• If you do everything with a heart of love, you'll have no regrets.



• Every single thing is transformed in His presence.



• There are 365 "Fear not's" in the Bible--one for every day of the week.

Wonderful New Worship Song

I wanted to share a worship song by Chris Tomlin named, I Will Rise. Click here for a link to a video of Chris Tomlin performing the song and the words to the song.

Insights

By Charlotte Lowrie

Here are some notes from recent Bible study and prayer that I hope will strengthen you in your walk with Christ.

* Love looks through the lens of eternity with Kingdom values in sight. Love endures through eternity, for God is love. And without forgiveness, there can be no love.

• “Stop limiting yourself in your thinking. You have all of the resources of heaven at your disposal. Do you need more than that?”
  
  
• Stewardship is moving the Father’s resources to new places to advance the work of the Kingdom. It is using what He gives you for His purposes.
  
  
• There are not two sets of priorities—yours and God's. There is only one set of priorities—the Kingdom priorities. There is no division. There is one purpose in heaven and on earth—that the Father’s will be done. That simplifies everything.