“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!'”
1 Corinthians 12:21
The first words I ever remember saying as a baby were, “Me do!” Or in adult language, “Mother, I’d rather do it myself.”
My mom tells me that I wanted to be alone in the bathroom without her assistance. And as she tells it, I used the “me do” phrase for everything from holding a cup of milk to handling a baby spoon. Independence must have meant a lot to me then.
It’s odd that I view differently now the independence I so valued as a child. Sure, when it comes to managing my disability, I want to feed myself, arrange my own attendant care, and do as much for myself as I can. But I need assistance from other people. I can’t always handle things solo.
It’s called interdependence, and it means that I must rely on my husband and friends for help. But, oh, am I grateful! What’s nice is that my family and friends are helped, too, as they discover the joys of serving and giving. Interdependence is a wonderful kind of working together, a depending on one another in a healthy, Christian way.
It’s the only way the body of Christ can function. “Me do” may be a proud statement for a baby, but you won’t hear me say it these days.
There is no such thing as individualistic Christianity. Our personal life in Christ is not complete if we are out of touch with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If you think you don’t need the church, then please take a quick “me do” test.
Lord, I want to honor You as the head of the body by getting involved with my Christian friends. If I see a need today, help me meet it.
