In recent years, the idea of dependency has gained a lot of negative connotation in our society. This is no surprise, since we see so much negative dependency all around us.
The general American population has several different types of dependencies. Look at us with our smart phones, mindlessly scrolling and typing away for hours on end. What about our relationship with our TVs? Whether it be streaming movies and shows or catching sporting events, a lot of our culture revolves around our need to stare at a screen for many hours of our lives. Technology is not the only thing on which many have become dependent. Much of our culture glamorizes dependency on substances—be it alcohol or psychoactive drugs. When’s the last time you questioned your dependence on coffee (or other forms of caffeine)? I know many people who admit that they cannot function without a large dose of caffeine, which, by the way, is categorized as a stimulant drug.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a hot cup of Joe first thing in the morning before heading out to work. Playing video games, being on the phone, or watching TV are not inherently bad either. Outside of illegal and highly addictive substances, most of these activities are not inherently evil. However, all of these things become a problem when we develop a level of dependency that is spiritually unhealthy.
Society may have us believe that there is no type of dependency that is good, but this perspective is rooted in society’s inability to acknowledge God’s existence and His nature. Because of this, the world idealizes complete independence from all things and people. Why wouldn’t it? Even the best things in this world can develop negative effects eventually, especially when we become extremely dependent on them. However, there is one being on whom we can wholeheartedly become dependent and see no negative side-effects: God. He wants to be our first priority and only God (Ex. 20:4-5), and the one being on which we are truly dependent (e.g. Prov. 3:5-6; Jer. 17:5-9; etc.) Scripture overflows with the idea that God desires trust and dependence. It is a relief that, unlike the temporary things and relationships of this world, our relationship with God neither develops negative effects nor goes sour after a while. Therefore, let us put our whole trust in God and depend on Him, knowing that He cares for us (I Pet. 5:7).
-David Chang
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