Dependence

On 10 December 1962 C. S. Lewis wrote to Mary Willis Shelburne:

"One must get over any false shame about accepting necessary help. One never has been 'independent'. Always, in some mode or other, one has lived on others, economically, intellectually, spiritually. Who, after all, is less independent than someone with 'a private income'-- every penny of which has been earned by the skill and labour of others? Poverty merely reveals the helpless dependence which has all the time been our real condition. We are members of one another whether we choose to recognise the fact or not."

Collected Letters, Volume III, 1390

These wise words of C. S. Lewis reminded me today of the words of a poem often quoted by my father. I do not know the name of the author. . . .

One by one He took them from me,

all the things I valued most,
until I was empty-handed,

every glittering toy was lost.

I walked earth’s highways grieving,

in my rags and poverty,
until I heard His voice inviting,

lift your empty hands to me.

I turned my hands toward heaven,

and He filled them with a store,
of His own transcendent riches,

‘til they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended,

with my stupid mind so dull,
that God cannot pour His riches,

into hands already full.

Lewis's words also reminded me of the teaching of the Apostle Paul about our dependence upon God and each other:

"For in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Romans 12:3-5

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for my pride and my many attempts to "go it alone" in life. Remind me today of my dependence upon you and upon other human beings. Make me truly thankful for being a special member of the body of Christ, albeit a small member. And help me to play the part you want me to play today in serving you and others. Amen.

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