Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtOver the course of my life, I've often heard the phrase, I’m an independent thinker. I heard it enough times to lead me to think that this was some kind of important life goal. I think when people say that, they somehow mean that they don’t just go with the flow but they create their own philosophies, beliefs, and opinions.My goal in raising my children was to teach them to think for themselves and yet teach them that God's Word is the foundation and filter in establishing what they think and believe so they would be in harmony with what God thinks. I wanted them to learn to make decisions for themselves as they grew older, but I tried to be a part of those decisions until they had enough knowledge, maturity, and experience to make them for themselves. As they became young adults, I released them and worked to stay out of their decision-making process because it was now their life to lead, not mine. My goal from that point was to be a good friend whose ear they wanted to bend, desiring to know my thoughts and opinions. When I do share thoughts with them, I try to tread lightly so I don’t accidentally try to dominate their thoughts or decisions and push them away. This has helped each of them become a responsible adult who can make quality decisions independently of me—but not independently of God.My life’s role feels significant to me. As a Pastor, I've had the honor of influencing many lives for the Lord in a great diversity of ways. I’m fairly confident that I’m seen as a strong leader. I know how to think independently, but I also know how to flow in unity and cooperation with those I work with to reach mutually desired goals and objectives. Working together with others doesn't affect my independence. It creates a healthy interdependence. I work with many strong and capable leaders. We all desire to focus on what is best for the people we serve and influence, yet it's critical that we bring our thoughts into a larger big-picture plan, understanding that not one of us has all the answers. We work to bring our thoughts into planning, effort, and harmony in order to reach mutually desired goals that are good for others.
It sounds so cool to be an independent thinker, yet while touting it, it can easily become mired in pride and narcissism. That is what many independent thinkers get lost in—pride and narcissism—especially if they refuse to listen and learn and mutually work toward goals with others. The safeguard for anyone is to realize how needy each of us is for help, cooperation, and compromise in order to execute life successfully. Learning to think independently yet recognize that you are also needy of the input of God and other mature fruit-bearing leaders is not a conflict. It's maturity at its best!
I’m extremely needy! I am needy for God. I am needy for His love. I am needy for His assurance that He's with me and will help me. I need His wisdom because my decisions affect many people, and I want my decisions to help and bless, not hinder and hurt. I am needy for the wisdom of good people who have gone before me and who will help me avoid unnecessary mistakes that have already been made and should be learned from. I was needy for God to help me know the best way to raise my children. I was needy for Him to help me figure out how to make an income that would pay for my children’s schooling, braces, a thousand pairs of shoes, college, weddings, and so much more. I was needy. I still am. I need His wisdom for the decisions I face today! I am also needy for good relationships in my life. I am needy for anointed words from the throne of God for those who need them today. My life doesn't work without the love and help of others. Yes, I am independent, but I am also needy—and that is God's plan, and it works wonderfully!All this causes me to realize my limitations and the need for the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life. He is God, and I am His son who needs His help. Jesus has made this all possible, and I praise Him forever! Because of the repeated assurance of His love and desire to help me, though I know I am needy, I also know He’ll help me. That is what helps me be more independent in the right ways.Finally, I am awed that the God of this universe has made Himself so intimate and available, always desiring me to bring every need to Him with assurance of His caring and help. I am awed by these words. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." He gives me the permission slip to be needy and have faith in Him, and then, he strengthens my faith and confidence with these amazing words of assurance. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him. He said, “This is the confidence…” This is where the foundation of healthy independence comes from in my life. This is the reality of us all—that we can be independent and needy without being in conflict. It's God's desire for our life in Him through Jesus Christ!In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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