Dragons are slain, princes are rescuing heroes on white horses, poor maidens become princesses, fairies are your friends and evil is overcome.

The real world is different. It is broken and groaning. Wars are fought. Greed and power seem to overcome good. Corruption is rife. Rape, women and child abuse are prolific and hatred speaks louder than love.

In this harsh world, a Southern Kingdom is ruled by prejudice and discrimination. For 46 years the subjects of this kingdom were separated and for the past 24 years, vengeance and resentment have sung a siren tune. This Rainbow Nation’s dream is as elusive as the reality of a Fairy Tale.

Yet in this Southern Kingdom, ruled by hatred and brokenness, we see the most unlikely of friendships, brought about by Gospel shoes of grace and peace.

In a strange little hamlet, called Church, we see orchards bear the most beautiful fruit of kindness, joy, peace and hope. It is here that a Black girl and a White girl hold hands and forge a special bond. The Spirit has done that – not a magical spirit, but the Holy Spirit.

‘He is the One who unites us despite our different experiences, cultures and skin colours.’ [Lehman Bates]

The Black girl and the White Girl grew up in different kingdoms, two worlds far apart, but as their paths crossed, they realised that in all the ways that matter most, they are the same. In this unique hamlet, they become sisters.

As they stand together on the Gospel Bridge – built out of rugged blood-stained wood – between their two kingdoms, something strange and wonderful and supernatural starts to happen.

The heavy chains shackling them to their pasts start to shatter. The chorus of prejudice resonating in their ears becomes a beautiful hymn of joy and harmony. The lyrics are not their own; they are written and sung by a heavenly angelic choir, marvelling at this mystery unfolding on the bridge.

They start to see each other’s hearts, once hard and stony, suddenly made new, soft and gentle. A true friendship starts to blossom behind faces that were once strangers. They start to speak a new language. Having both been taught the language of hate, words of love, now unbidden, flow from their lips.

Their minds are renewed. Ugly memories of the past start to fade and vanish; slowly disappearing on the wind. They laugh together.

Strangers passing by from one kingdom to another stop and stare. Some mock the Black girl and the White girl. Others are angry. A few join them.

As they stand together on this bridge, they look up and across the valleys and kingdoms, full of rocky and harsh terrain, and they see a brilliant city in the far away distance. It shines brightly, its radiance coming from the Son, the Prince of Peace. Its streets are golden and those who walk thereon have no sadness or weeping or pain. This forever City of Joy, above the clouds, is ruled by Majesty and Glory.

This is where they are headed together, the Black girl and the White girl; adopted daughters of the King of kings. This is where they will live happily ever after.

‘Ask the Spirit of God to lead you and help you cultivate relationships. He will do what you couldn’t imagine.’ [Lehman Bates]

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[eltdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”” background_color=””]I[/eltdf_dropcaps] cringed as I was writing that greeting because I hate when people call me independent.  But the truth is, it’s what I’ve fought so hard to become.  I have lived much of my life trying to prove people wrong about my ability to be self sufficient.  Trying to prove that I can do it on my own.  It’s a battle I’ve fought hard and a battle I’ve mostly won.  But have I really, though?

So here I am, late 20s and single.  I love my independence.  Sometimes I let it rule my life.  Backing up…let’s be real, I often let it rule my life.  It’s a badge I wear proudly.  Sometimes I wear it so proudly that I don’t know how to take it off.  Several weeks ago, I felt like my badge of independence was being ripped from me.  I got asked out for coffee by a guy I’d just met.  My immediate response was: Uhmm…I don’t have time for this, have a nice day.  

No, I didn’t actually say that! You’ll be relieved to hear that response was just in my head.  I was told by a dear friend recently that if I desire to be married, I have to stop saying no to every single guy that shows interest.  So I texted a girl friend and literally said:  I don’t know what to say.  I have a particular skill in shutting guys down…the reverse, not so much.

That invitation terrified me.  My mind went into an immediate spiral of what-ifs that led to the thought: could this simple little invitation to get coffee be the end of my independence?  And my friend, that is when I realized my independence is an idol in my heart.  That was a painful thing to realize.

Idols aren’t just the little carvings people in different parts of the world have sitting on their mantle.  According to Merriman-Webster’s Dictionary, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly: a false god.  My friend, that’s what independence is in my heart: a false god.  An idol can be anything that you worship above the one, true God.  My independence is stealing from me my greatest joy: a life in honour of Christ.  Instead of pursuing Christ, I’m pursuing things that give me greater independence.

That little invitation for coffee ended up being nothing.  We chatted a bit, had a nice time, but in the end decided that the Lord was clearly leading our lives in two totally different directions.  But I’m so glad he asked me to coffee, because God used it to expose my heart and show me my sin.

[eltdf_blockquote text=”My greatest fear is that I will be successful in the things that don’t matter for eternity. And my greatest desire is to serve the Lord sacrificially with my whole life. It’s time to put my desire for independence to death. ” title_tag=”h2″ width=””]. May I continue to remain single as long as my service for the Lord has a larger impact through my singleness than through marriage.  But if I meet someone where I can tangibly see a way wherein we can serve the Lord better together, then may I joyfully embrace marriage.  Either way, I can find joy and contentment in the life the Lord has planned for me.

Today, let your dependence be on Christ.

Love from One Independent Sister to Another

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