Wonderfully Made - Created in the Image of Godਨਮੂਨਾ

Independence in Community

Independence is like a hammer—it can build something strong, or it can create a mess. The key is learning how to use it well. While independence is important for discovering who we are, our identity is never complete without community.

When God created us, He designed us to live in relationship with others. Community is a foundational part of who we are. Even in the most natural and organic forms of life, like family, we see this truth.

Your independence is not just for you—it’s meant to benefit those around you. Your friends, family, school, and sports teams all need the unique gifts and perspective you bring. Joshua was called to be strong and courageous, not for his own sake, but to lead his community. Gideon was called by God, not for himself, but to rescue and restore others.

When independence is used well, it strengthens the body of Christ. But when it’s used selfishly, it can create isolation. Independence becomes dangerous when we start believing lies like “I don’t need anyone” or “I can do this on my own.”

So, how does your independence strengthen those around you? Are you using your gifts to build others up, or has the desire to be self-sufficient caused you to push people away? Independence was never meant to isolate you—it’s meant to help you contribute to the bigger picture of God’s family.

Take some time to reflect: Where is your community? How can you use your independence to make a difference? Start by asking God to show you where you can grow and contribute. Your identity is not complete without others, and God’s hope for you has always been to thrive in community. To fully discover who you are, you must first discover whose you are.